Most of us don’t pay much attention to the coins that pass through our hands. They end up in change jars, drawers, cup holders, and old boxes, sometimes sitting there for decades without anyone taking a closer look.
But an old coin isn’t always just spare change. Certain dates, mint marks, production mistakes, and unusually low mintages can make some coins highly desirable to collectors, and a handful have sold for millions of dollars.
That doesn’t mean every old penny or silver dollar is valuable. Still, if you’re sorting through inherited coins, an old collection, or even a forgotten jar of change, it’s worth knowing what to look for before spending or cashing them in.
Here are some of the rare U.S. coins that can be worth far more than the number stamped on them, starting with the oldest.
1787 Brasher Doubloon
Created by New York goldsmith Ephraim Brasher before the U.S. Mint was established, only a handful of these historic gold coins are known to exist. One example sold for an incredible $9.36 million in 2021.
1792 Half Disme
The 1792 Half Disme was among the earliest coins produced under the authority of the newly formed United States government. Only a few hundred are believed to survive today, and an exceptional example sold for $1.5 million in 2007.
1793 Chain Cent
The Chain Cent was the first large cent officially produced for circulation by the U.S. Mint, with a chain on the reverse symbolizing the states joined together. The design lasted only briefly, and surviving examples can be worth thousands or considerably more depending on their condition.
1794 Flowing Hair Dollar
The 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar holds an important place in history as the first silver dollar issued by the United States government. Exceptional examples are enormously valuable, including one that sold for $10 million in 2013.
Related: 10 Rare Half Dollar Coins That Can Be Worth Hundreds—or Even Thousands
1795 Turban Head Eagle
This early $10 gold coin dates to the first years of federal gold coinage and features Liberty on the front with an eagle on the reverse. Its age, gold content, rarity, and condition can make surviving examples particularly valuable to collectors.
1804 Silver Dollar
Despite the 1804 date stamped on the coin, these famous silver dollars were actually produced later, with some created as diplomatic gifts. Only 15 are known to exist, and one sold for $7.68 million in 2021.
1822 Half Eagle
The 1822 Half Eagle is extraordinarily rare, with only three examples known to survive. The only example available to private collectors sold for $8.4 million in 2021.
1861 Paquet Reverse Double Eagle
Assistant Engraver Anthony Paquet redesigned the reverse of the $20 Double Eagle, but the Mint quickly abandoned the design after production concerns arose. A small number escaped before production stopped, making surviving examples exceptionally rare.
1880 Stella
The Stella was an experimental $4 gold coin that never became a regular circulating denomination. The 1880 issues are especially scarce, and one example sold for $2.75 million in 2015.
1907 Ultra High Relief Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
The Ultra High Relief Double Eagle featured an elaborate design that proved difficult for the U.S. Mint to produce efficiently. Its beauty and limited production have made it highly collectible, with one example selling for $3.6 million in 2021.
Related: 17 Rare Quarters Worth Some Serious Money
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
This famous Lincoln cent features designer Victor David Brenner’s VDB initials along with an “S” mint mark indicating it was struck in San Francisco. Its relatively low mintage makes the 1909-S VDB one of the key dates collectors look for in the Lincoln cent series.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Only five 1913 Liberty Head Nickels are known, and their mysterious production without official Mint authorization has only added to their appeal. With three held in museum collections and just two privately owned, these unusual nickels have sold for millions.
Related: 12 Rare Buffalo Nickels That Could Be Worth Thousands Today
1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
Although hundreds of thousands of 1933 Double Eagles were struck, changes to U.S. gold policy prevented them from being released into circulation and nearly all were melted down. The only example that can be legally privately owned sold for $18.9 million in 2021.
1943 Copper Lincoln Cent
Most 1943 pennies were made from zinc-coated steel because copper was needed during World War II, but a small number were accidentally struck on leftover bronze planchets. Genuine 1943 bronze cents are extremely rare and can be tremendously valuable depending on their condition.
1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
A minting variety created noticeable doubling in the date and lettering on some 1955 Lincoln cents, making them easy for knowledgeable collectors to recognize. Genuine examples can sell for thousands or tens of thousands of dollars depending on condition, so it’s worth taking a closer look at any 1955 penny showing strong doubling.
