It is possible that you will stumble upon a few coins that are still in circulation that are rare and expensive if you are simply searching through your pocket money in a random manner. This is because those coins are likely to be rare and expensive.
2 Rare and Valuable Coins Hiding in Plain Sight
The probability of you discovering these coins is quite high. Both of the following are examples of rare coins that are so straightforward that it is simple for an individual to overlook them:
1. A Lincoln Cent from 1969-S
- Why it’s useful: One of the most well-known and expensive error coins in U.S. numismatics is the 1969-S Lincoln cent with a double die obverse. There are doubled letters and a date on the front of this coin, which says “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The doubling happened because of a mistake made when the coins were being made.
- When it comes to value, a 1969-S Double Die Lincoln cent can be worth anywhere from $300 to over $100,000 for a very good example.
How to find it: Look closely at the date and letters on the front of the coin. If you see that any of the letters are fuzzy or twice as big, it might be the rare 1969-S double die.
2. A Roosevelt Dime from 1982
- Why it’s valuable: In 1982, the U.S. Mint moved dimes from being made of 90% silver to being made of copper and nickel.
- During the change, though, some dimes were struck by mistake in 90% silver. Rare dimes like these, which are often called “silver 1982 dimes,” are worth a lot more than their face value.
- Based on the current price of silver, a 1982 dime that is 90% silver could be worth between $3 and $5. This is a lot more than its face value of 10 cents.
See more: 3 Must-Know Tips for Spotting Valuable Coins in Everyday Change
How to find it: Use a magnet (it won’t stick to a silver dime) or look at its edge to tell if it’s a silver dime. When you look at the edge of a silver coin, it will not be copper-colored like current clad dimes. Instead, it will have a silvery shine.