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Rare Coins to Look for: What Are the Most Valuable Coins?
Many people have large collections of coins. Maybe you have a big jar of coins that's been collecting dust, or maybe you inherited a big lot of coins from a laundromat your grandfather owned, or maybe you were gifted a collection of coins.
Most coins you find are worth face value. However, certain coins may have a rare year or error that makes them worth a lot. Or, they may be made with silver, which greatly increases their value.
This guide covers the three things that make a coin valuable, starting with the easiest ones to check at home:
Silver coins, which are worth more than face value because of the metal.
Error coins, which were struck wrong at the Mint.
Rare and key-date coins, the famous ones collectors chase.
Curious if your coins are worth a lot of money? At Accurate Precious Metals, we are happy to appraise and count your collection for you! Visit our store, or request one of our free mail-in kits and we can tell you what your coins are worth and give you an offer for them.
Silver Coins: Check These First
Did you know that all US dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins minted before 1965 were made with silver? That means that old coin collections have a really good chance of containing some valuable silver.
How much are silver coins worth? It depends on the type of coin, since they are all different sizes. However, most of these coins were made with 90% silver content. The following estimates are based on today's silver spot price of $60, which is subject to change:
A single silver dime would be worth about $4.32 in silver content.
A single silver quarter would be worth about $10.85 in silver content.
A silver half dollar would be worth about $21.70 in silver content.
A silver dollar coin, like the Morgan or Peace coins, would be worth about $46.40 in silver content alone.
Most of these coins could be worth even more depending on their specific year, design, and mint errors. But if you have a collection of coins from pre-1965, you should check if there are any silver coins!
How can you tell if a coin is silver? One of the easiest ways to tell is to simply check the year on the front. For example, if your quarter says 1964 on it, it is most definitely 90% silver. However, there are other ways if you are trying to sift through an old collection:
Check the edges. The edges of silver coins will be a constant, silver color. The edges of clad (not silver) coins will have a copper colored stripe.
You can also do a magnet test, since silver is not magnetic. Clad coins will stick to a strong magnet, but silver coins will not. This method is fun but not as efficient as checking the edges.
Which Years Were Made With Silver?
Coin | Silver years | Silver content |
|---|---|---|
Dime (Barber, Mercury, Roosevelt) | 1964 and earlier | 90% |
Quarter (Barber, Standing Liberty, Washington) | 1964 and earlier | 90% |
Half dollar (Barber, Walking Liberty, Franklin) | 1964 and earlier | 90% |
Half dollar (Kennedy) | 1964 | 90% |
Half dollar (Kennedy) | 1965 to 1970 | 40% |
Wartime "silver" nickel | 1942 to 1945 | 35% |
Dollar (Morgan and Peace) | 1878 to 1935 | 90% |
Eisenhower dollar | 1971 to 1976, collector versions only | 40% |
American Silver Eagle | 1986 to today | 99.9% |
Error Coins: Mistakes Worth Money
Error coins are coins that have an error from when they were minted.
We cover errors in depth in our full guide, so here is the short version of what to look for:
Doubled dies. The design or lettering looks doubled, as if it were printed twice. The famous example is the 1955 doubled die Lincoln cent, where the date and words on the front are clearly doubled.
Off-center strikes. The design is shifted to one side, leaving part of the coin blank. The more of the design that is still visible, the better.
Wrong planchet. The coin was struck on the wrong metal blank. The classic example is the 1943 copper cent, made by accident when a few leftover copper blanks went through the presses in a steel-cent year.
Die cracks and cuds. A cracked die leaves a raised line or lump on the coin. Larger ones are more interesting, though smaller ones are very common and usually worth little.
Missing or extra elements. A missing mintmark, a missing edge design, or an extra leaf on a Wisconsin state quarter, for example.
Clipped and broadstruck coins. A curved bite taken out of the edge, or a coin spread wider than normal.
The value of coins with mint errors varies drastically depending on the specific type of error. If you think you have a coin with a mint error, and want to see if it's worth anything, we would recommend googling it, or reaching out to our expert team.
Specific Rare Coins That Collectors Chase
These are the famous ones. Most people will never find one in a jar of change, but they are worth knowing because a few of them have been found by ordinary people. They are also "must know" coins for any collector.
1793 Flowing Hair Chain Cent
The first copper cents struck by the U.S. Mint, with a chain of links on the back. They were made for only a short time and are valuable in nearly any condition. See our penny history ([LINK]) for more on early cents.
1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
Among the first silver dollars the U.S. Mint made. One example sold at auction in 2013 for more than $10 million, which was a record for a coin at the time.
1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar
Called the "King of American Coins." Despite the date, the 1804 dollars were actually struck years later as diplomatic gifts. Only about fifteen exist, and they are among the most valuable U.S. coins ever sold.
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
The first year of the Lincoln cent. The designer's initials, V.D.B., were on the back of the first batch and then removed after complaints, and the San Francisco coins with the initials had a mintage of only about 484,000. It is the best-known key date in the Lincoln series. Look for a small "S" under the date and "VDB" on the back at the bottom.
1914-D Lincoln Cent
A Denver cent with a low mintage that is scarce and widely counterfeited. Many fakes are made by altering the date on a different coin, so authentication matters.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Only five are known. They were never officially authorized, which is part of the legend. One of the five has sold for millions. It is a coin people hunt for in stories more than in jars, but it is a good example of how scarcity builds value.
1916-D Mercury Dime
The key date of the Mercury (Winged Liberty) dime series, with a very low mintage from Denver. It is a silver coin and a rare coin at once, and worth checking any old dime for.
1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters
The first year of the Washington quarter, and the two lowest-mintage dates of the whole series. They are silver, so even a worn one is worth more than the average quarter from the period.
1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar
The most valuable of the regular Morgan dollars, with a very low mintage out of San Francisco and very few surviving in high grade. Morgan dollars are one of the best coins to look through if you inherit a collection, since a few dates are worth far more than the rest.
1933 Double Eagle ($20 Gold)
Made, but never released, because the U.S. went off the gold standard. Nearly all of them were melted. A few escaped, and the legal fight over who may own them is unusual. One legal-to-own example sold in 2021 for around $18.9 million. This is a famous coin with a well-known story, not one you will find by accident.
1943 Copper Cent and 1955 Doubled Die Cent
Both are error coins that crossed over into the "famous rare coin" category. A 1943 cent that is a copper color and not magnetic is worth a closer look. Most 1943 cents are zinc-coated steel and are magnetic, so a simple magnet is the first test.
What Makes a Coin Valuable?
Across everything above, the same factors drive value:
Rarity. Low mintage, or few survivors. A coin made in small numbers, or one where most were melted or worn out, is worth more.
Condition. The better the surfaces, the more it is worth. Professional grading ([LINK]) is the standard for valuable coins.
Demand. Popular series, such as Morgan dollars and Lincoln cents, have more buyers.
Metal. Silver and gold coins have a floor value from the metal itself.
Authenticity. Valuable coins get faked. For anything expensive, have it authenticated.
Common Coins That Are Not Rare
A few things people often hope are valuable, but usually are not:
State quarters and America the Beautiful quarters. Made in huge numbers. Worth face value unless there is a true error.
1976 Bicentennial quarters and halves. Billions were made. Only collector-set versions in 40% silver carry extra value.
Most 1964-and-earlier Roosevelt dimes and Washington quarters. They are silver, so they are worth more than face value, but not rare.
Wheat cents from common years. Worth a few cents each in typical condition.
What to Do if You Think You Have Something
Do not clean it. Cleaning can destroy collector value in seconds.
Handle it by the edges and store it in a soft holder, not loose in a drawer with other coins.
Check the date, mintmark and metal using the steps above.
Get an opinion before you sell anything, especially a coin that looks unusual.
If you have inherited a collection, found a jar of old coins, or just want to know what you have, Accurate Precious Metals is a Salem, Oregon coin and precious metals buyer. You can request a free mail-in kit to send your coins in from anywhere in the United States!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most valuable coin in the world?
It depends on how you count. Among U.S. coins, the 1933 double eagle and the 1794 Flowing Hair dollar have both sold for eight-figure sums at auction, and a handful of other coins have also reached millions.
How do I know if my old coins are silver?
Check the date first (1964 or earlier for dimes, quarters and halves), then look at the edge for a solid silver-white color without a copper stripe. See the full checklist above.
Are 1965 quarters silver?
No. Dimes and quarters from 1965 on are copper-nickel clad. 1964 is the last year of 90% silver for those coins.
How can I tell if my coin is an error?
Look for doubling, off-center designs, missing parts, or a coin made of the wrong metal, then compare it against a reliable guide. Many apparent errors are just wear or damage.
Should I get a coin graded before selling?
For a coin you believe is valuable, it can help. For common-date silver, it usually does not pay to grade.
Is it worth it to sell silver coins?
Silver coins are usually valued by their metal content, and prices change with the market. Key dates and high-grade coins can be worth more than metal value, so it is worth having them looked at first.
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