Rare Coins To Look For
Finding Rare Nickels - What to Look For
- Rare Coins To Look For In Your Change
- List Of Coins To Keep
- Valuable Coins List With Pictures
- Rare Coins To Look For In Change
- Rare World Coins To Look For
- Coins To Look Out For
There are not a lot of rare nickels and they are fairly inexpensive, which makes them a great coin series for the beginner or those with a modest budget to collect.
Take a closer look before you dump that handful of pennies and nickels into the tip jar — you don't need to find a Revolutionary War-era coin to make a fortune from your change. They're harder to. 1943 copper Lincoln penny is one of the most sought-after coins—about 40 have been found. That year, the US Mint switched to making pennies from zinc-coated steel instead of 95% copper/5% zinc and tin, but by mistake some copper pennies still were made, and those may be worth $25,000 to $100,000, or even $2 million in pristine condition. More specifically, the MS-65 version of the 1919 D Walking Liberty Half Dollar is coveted among coin collectors, with some examples having sold for as much as $200,000 at auction. And while mint-condition examples are exceedingly rare, even worn coins of this type can each bring in $100 or so.
PCGS graded the coin AU-55, and it is valued at approximately $24,000. How to detect: Look for a clear doubling of the entire obverse ('heads' side) except for the mint mark. If the mint mark is doubled, it is probably a case of strike doubling, rather than a doubled die, which isn't worth much.
You can put together a nice collection without spending a lot of money. In fact, a lot of the Jefferson Nickel series can still be found in circulation.
Who knows, you might even happen across a very unique rare nickel just like Mr. Ken Frith did.
In 1961, knowing that Mr. Frith specialized in error coins, a very unique 1942-S Jefferson Nickel was brought to his attention.
After carefully examining the coin to make sure it was not a fabrication, Mr. Frith purchased the coin.
This unique, one of a kind nickel has the obverse (front) of a 1942 Jefferson Nickel muledMule
This is a coin that was struck from two dies not intended to be used together. For example, it would have the front (obverse) of one denomination or coin type and the back (reverse) of another. These are very rare. with a 1941-S reverse.
Click Here to read more about Mr. Frith's exciting discovery.
Find out how he knew that someone at the mint had made a huge error.
You will also see the documentation sent to me by Mr. Frith which details all the steps that he took to verify that this was truly an authentic mint strike coin.
See actual copies of letters, a newspaper article in the New York Times, and a copy of the page from the auction catalog where the coin was described for auction.
Then, get out your nickels and start searching for your own keydates and error coins!!
Below you will find the keydates for each type of nickel along with information about error coins that you should keep an eye out for.
Shield Nickel - Rare Nickels and Errors to Watch For
Shield Nickels are going to be the most expensive of all the nickel types if you choose to collect them. Very worn coins will cost you around $20 each.- Key Dates: 1877 (proof only), 1878 (proof only), 1879, 1880, 1881
- Overdate: 1879/8, 1883/2
- Repunched Date: 1866
Liberty Head Nickel - Rare Nickels and Errors to Watch For
A collection of Liberty Head Nickels is quite possible on a modest budget with the exception of the keydates listed below.- Key Dates: 1885, 1886, 1912-S
- 1913 - Only 5 are known to exist!!
Indian Head or Buffalo Nickel - Rare Nickels and Errors to Watch For
Most Indian Head Nickels are also moderately priced and within reach of the average collector. With only one keydate and a couple of semi-keydates, a collection of Buffalo Nickels could be put together on a fairly small budget.- Key Dates: 1913-S Variety 2
- Overdate: 1914/3, 1918/7-D
- Double Dies: 1916 (obv), 1935 (rev)
- Overmintmarks:1942-D over Horiaontal D
- 1936-D Three and 1/2 legs on Buffalo
- 1937-D Three-legged Buffalo
Rare Coins To Look For In Your Change
Jefferson Nickel - Rare Nickels and Errors to Watch For
The Jefferson Nickel series doesn't have any major rarities. This is one reason it's such a good series for a beginner to collect (or anyone on a modest budget).
- Key Dates: 1938-D, 1938-S, 1939-D, 1939-S and the 1950-D
- Overmintmarks: 1949-D/S, 1954-S/D, 1955-D/S
- Overdate: 1943/2-P
- Double Dies: 1939 (doubled MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS), 1943-P (doubled eye), 1945 (rev) and 2004
- Full Step Nickels: Jefferson nickels that have 'full steps' on the reverse sell for a premium.
- 1942-S with the reverse of the 1941: the rarest Jefferson Nickel. Only one is known to exist. Wouldn't it be cool to find one of those in your pocket change!
Click here to read more about this exciting discovery.
For some great deals on Coins and Coin Supplies visit my friends at Jake's Marketplace, Inc. They have a very comprehensive selection to choose from and give great discounts!
List Of Coins To Keep
Learn more about Shield Nickels
Learn more about Liberty Head Nickels
Learn more about Indian Head or Buffalo Nickels
Return from Rare Nickels to Jefferson Nickels.
Learn more about the one of a kind 1942 Rare Nickel described above.
Learn where the mint mark is located on Nickels and other US Coins.Ever wonder if that coin jar laying around your house has any value? Or are you new to coin collecting? Here is a list of ten rare quarters you want to be on the lookout for that either hold some historical significance or are worth more than face value.
- 2004 Wisconsin state quarter with extra leaf
The 50 State Quarters series ran from 1999 until 2008, with special designs representing each state. Wisconsin’s quarter came out in 2004; the reverse design features a cow, a wheel of cheese and a partially husked ear of corn. Some the coins have an extra line below the front left leaf, which looks like another leaf entirely. There are two varieties you should be looking out for: the high leaf and low leaf
- 2005 Kansas state quarter, ‘In God We Rust’
On the obverse of this quarter you will see what appears to be saying ‘Rust’ instead of ‘trust’. While it might seem like a mint employee’s rogue political statement, these coins are actually just the result of grease preventing a clean pressing.
- State quarters on nickel planchets
These coins can show up in any year, but seem to be more common in the first year Delaware, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia coins. Accidentally struck on Nickel planchets, these coins are slightly smaller than a regular quarter. Error coin diameter size = 21.2mm. Regular quarter size = 24.3mm.
- 2006 Colorado cud errors
Cud errors, a damaged area resembling a blob on the surface of a coin, are found on the reverse side of the quarter. These quarters were released by the Philadelphia mint.
- 2007 Wyoming doubled die reverse
This lesser-known error was minted in Philadelphia and sometimes can be hard to spot with the naked eye. With magnification, varied doubling around the saddle horn can be seen.
- 2009 District of Columbia doubled die reverse
Some quarters minted in Denver exhibit doubling on the “ELL” in “ELLINGTON.
- Early silver Washington quarters
The earlier coins, minted 1932 through 1940 are valued higher as a collectible in circulated condition. Two specific coins you might hope to find are the 1932-D, in heavily worn condition it is worth $39. The other is the 1932-S, a $48 coin in “Good” condition.
- One side of a quarter has a copper color
Every clad coin, which includes State Quarters, is comprised of three layers of metal. Both outer layers are made of an alloy consisting of 75 percent copper, 25 percent nickel. It is this alloy that gives clad coinage the silver-like appearance. The center layer consists of pure copper.
Occasionally, one or both of the outer layers separate from the copper core because of a failed bond between layers. When one of the outer layers peels off, the copper core is exposed, and it is this copper core that is struck by the die.
- 2001 double struck quarter
Valuable Coins List With Pictures
The coin design of George Washington’s head was struck not once, but twice on this quarter. The result is a double design with two “United States of America” letterings and two partial Washington heads. The reverse side has two castings of the Statue of Liberty and outline of the state of New York.
Rare Coins To Look For In Change
- Uncirculated State Quarters
Rare World Coins To Look For
In the early 2000’s, many people were hoarding uncirculated $10 rolls of state quarters. As mentioned earlier, these quarters rolled out between 1999-2008. Once the economy worsened in 2008, many people began giving up their hoards. This increased demand for uncirculated rolls of state quarters. For certain in-demand states, you can get up to $50 per roll. Look for rolls from Georgia, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Illinois.
Coins To Look Out For
Think you might have one or more of these coins but are unsure? Or you have a different interesting coin that isn’t listed? Download the Lookzee app on Google Play or iOS App Store and share your coin with the Lookzee forums. The forum is a great place to connect with coin collectors and learn more about coins!