Rare U.S. Coins That Can Be Found in Your Pocket Change
You might not realize it, but some coins in your pocket change could be worth far more than their face value. While most people casually spend coins without giving them a second thought, collectors and enthusiasts actively search for rare coins that might slip through the cracks.
The 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel is one of the most sought-after coins by collectors. This coin earned its unusual name because of a minting error where one of the buffalo’s legs was partially missing, making it appear as though the buffalo had only three legs.
The 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent is another rare coin that’s occasionally found in circulation. This coin features a dramatic doubling of the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” due to a minting error.
Similar to the 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent, the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent features a doubling error. The doubling effect is much more pronounced on this coin, making it one of the most recognized errors in U.S. coinage.
he doubling is visible on the date and the inscriptions on the obverse side of the coin. It’s extremely rare and in demand among collectors, so if you spot one, it could be worth anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on its condition.
The 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent is considered one of the rarest and most valuable coins of the 1970s. The coin features a smaller date on the obverse side, which was produced by mistake when two different dies were used.
Another famous doubled die coin, the 1995 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent, shows a noticeable doubling of the lettering on the obverse.
In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched from producing copper pennies to steel pennies due to the demand for copper during World War II. However, a few copper pennies were accidentally struck that year.