Old coins have a way of getting tossed into jars, drawers, and boxes where nobody thinks much about them. But certain dates, mint marks, errors, and low-mintage issues can make some vintage U.S. coins worth far more than their face value.
Condition matters a lot, and professionally graded examples can sell for dramatically more than worn coins. If you have an old coin collection, these are 13 pieces worth taking a closer look at before assuming they’re just spare change.
1877 Indian Head Cent
The 1877 Indian Head cent had a relatively low mintage of 852,500, making it one of the key dates in the series. Even circulated examples can be worth hundreds, while higher-grade certified coins can reach well into the thousands.
1932-D Washington Quarter
Only 408,000 Washington quarters were minted in Denver in 1932, making the 1932-D one of the most desirable dates in the series. Better-condition examples can bring thousands, especially when professionally graded.
Related: 17 Rare Quarters Worth Some Serious Money
Barber Quarter
The Barber Quarter, designed by Charles E. Barber, is especially collectible in scarcer dates and better condition. A 1901 example can bring anywhere from a few thousand dollars to much more when professionally certified and preserved in high grade.
1955 Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Obverse
This famous Lincoln cent is known for dramatic doubling in the lettering and date on the front of the coin. High-grade certified examples can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, making it one of the most recognizable U.S. error coins.
1916-D Mercury Dime
Only 264,000 of these dimes were minted in Denver, which makes the 1916-D one of the key dates in the Mercury dime series. Well-preserved examples can sell for thousands, with top certified coins bringing significantly more.
1916 Standing Liberty Quarter
The first-year Standing Liberty Quarter is especially desirable because the original design was changed shortly afterward. Its low mintage and short-lived design make well-preserved 1916 examples especially valuable to collectors.
1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
The 1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is one of the tougher dates in the series and is especially collectible in better condition. Worn pieces can still command hundreds, while uncirculated certified examples can sell for many thousands.
1909 VDB Lincoln Cent
The 1909 Lincoln cent is notable for displaying designer Victor D. Brenner’s initials, V.D.B., on the reverse. Certain versions, especially scarcer mint-mark combinations, are much more valuable and can sell well above face value.
1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel
This unusual Buffalo nickel was created after excessive die polishing removed much of one of the buffalo’s legs. Because the error is so visually distinctive, authentic examples remain highly sought after and can sell for thousands in better grades.
Pre-1933 U.S. Gold Coins
U.S. gold coins made before 1933 are collectible both for their precious-metal content and their historical significance. Values vary widely depending on denomination, rarity, condition, and mint mark, with some examples reaching many thousands of dollars.
1921 High Relief Peace Dollar
The 1921 Peace Dollar was struck in high relief, giving the design a deeper, more sculpted appearance than later issues. Collectors especially prize sharp, well-preserved examples, which can sell for several thousand dollars or more.
Related: 10 Rare Half Dollar Coins That Can Be Worth Hundreds—or Even Thousands
1914-D Lincoln Wheat Cent
The 1914-D Lincoln Wheat cent is another key-date coin that collectors watch closely because of its relatively low mintage. Genuine examples in better condition can sell for thousands, while altered dates and added mint marks make authentication especially important.
1787 Fugio Cent
The Fugio cent is one of the earliest coins associated with the newly formed United States and is famous for its sundial design and “Mind Your Business” inscription. Depending on condition and variety, authentic examples can sell for hundreds to several thousand dollars.
