How To Spot Rare Coin Change

Most of us handle pocket change daily without giving it a second thought, but did you know that some of those seemingly ordinary coins could be worth far more than their face value? Collectors treasure certain coins for their rarity, unique features, and historical significance. If you know what to look for, your spare change could potentially contain hidden gems. Here’s how to spot rare coins in your pocket change and what makes them valuable.

1. Look for Coins with Errors

One of the most common types of valuable coins you might find in circulation are coins with minting errors. These mistakes occur during the production process and can make a coin extremely rare and desirable among collectors. Some common error types include:

• Double Die Coins: These feature doubling of the image or text due to a die error, making details blurry or misaligned. (e.g., 1955 Lincoln penny).
• Off-Center Strikes: Coins struck off-center can have partial or missing designs. The more off-center, the more valuable they are.
• Die Cracks and Cuds: These errors create raised lines or blobs of metal due to cracks in the die used to strike the coin.

2. Search for Silver Coins

Before 1965, many U.S. coins were made with significant amounts of silver, making them valuable today due to their metal content. Look for:

• Silver Quarters: Washington quarters dated 1964 or earlier contain 90% silver.
• Silver Dimes: Roosevelt and Mercury dimes minted before 1965 are also made of 90% silver.
• Silver Half Dollars: Kennedy half dollars from 1964 are 90% silver, while 1965-1970 half dollars contain 40% silver.

3. Seek Out Key Dates

Coins minted in smaller quantities during specific years are rare and valuable. Some examples include:

• 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent: Only 484,000 of these pennies were minted.
• 1916-D Mercury Dime: A key date in the series with only 264,000 minted.
• 1950-D Jefferson Nickel: Over 2.6 million produced, but still a rare find in high grades.

4. Check for Coins with Low Mintage

Coins produced in limited quantities are often more valuable simply due to their scarcity. Examples include:

• 1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters: These have lower mintages, making them collectible.
• 1921 Morgan Silver Dollar: Produced in lower numbers and highly sought after by collectors.

5. Pay Attention to Special Editions and Commemoratives

The U.S. Mint produces special edition and commemorative coins to mark significant events. These limited-edition coins are often valuable to collectors.

• State Quarters: Certain state quarters, particularly those with errors, can become valuable over time.
• Commemorative Coins: These coins commemorate significant events or people and are usually more intricate, making them appealing to collectors.

6. Learn to Spot Valuable Pennies

Pennies can be more valuable than they seem. For example, the 1943 steel penny is unique due to the copper shortage during World War II. Even more valuable is the rare copper penny mistakenly minted in 1943. Other examples include the 1959 wheat penny, which marked the end of the wheat penny design.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Overlook Your Change!

Whether you're an experienced collector or just someone hoping to find a hidden gem in your pocket change, it’s worth knowing what to look for. Keep an eye out for mint errors, silver coins, key dates, and low mintage numbers, as they can turn ordinary coins into valuable collectibles.

If you’re lucky enough to discover a rare coin, consider having it professionally graded and appraised. Texas Bullion Exchange can assist you in navigating the world of rare coins, precious metals, and more.

Start checking your change today—you never know what treasure might be hiding in plain sight!