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Coin Collecting, Coin Grading, Coins, Notes, & Bullion, Copper Collectibles, Gold Collectibles, Numismatic Investing, Other, Silver Collectibles

The Most Valuable Coins That Serious Collectors Want

Putting together a collection of the most valuable coins can be a rewarding trip through the history books and a smart investment. Coin collecting is a fun pastime for enthusiasts of all ages, but it can also pad out a portfolio if curated with an eye toward valuable coins that have the potential to increase in value. When creating a collection that will build worth, it helps to understand not only what people are looking for now, but what they may be looking for in the future.

Current Valuable Coins to Look Out For

Coin values can skyrocket for the rarest issues. The most valuable coins are sold primarily at auction, and due to their scarcity, once a specimen sells, another may not be available for decades. When building your collection or taking your collection in a new path, it can be more rewarding to start with more readily available coins that still offer excellent value.

Morgan Dollars

1883 Morgan Silver Dollar, Source: Public Domain Pictures

One of the most popular United States Coins, the Morgan Dollar was primarily minted from 1878 until 1904, with a single one-off year of production in 1921 to cap off its run before giving way to the Peace Dollar. Struck in 90% silver, these dollars are still sought after for their metal content and even poor examples hold their value as bullion. Along with the more common Denver, San Francisco, and Philadelphia minted coins, this dollar saw some coins struck in Carson City and New Orleans, which are highly collectible.

1873 Seated Liberty Dollars

1873 Seated Liberty Dollar, Source: Wikimedia Commons

Seated Liberty Dollars are some of the most valuable coin specimens on the market, and they’re fairly accessible for collectors looking to get started. These coins were struck in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Carson City, and New Orleans between 1840 and 1873. Production was ended by the Coinage Act of 1873 which both established the gold standard and eliminated the ability for anyone with silver bullion to deliver it to the mint and have it struck into coins.

Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles

Head and Tail shot of a Saun-Gaudens Double Eagle coin., Source: Wikimedia Commons

From 1907 until 1933, the United States Mint produced what is widely regarded as the most beautiful coin it ever created and some of the most valuable coins on the collectors market. Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at the invitation of President Teddy Roosevelt, the resulting image was a piece of art that was then cast in 90% gold.

Struck at the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver mints, the coin saw several slight changes throughout its run, giving collectors plenty to chase down if they’re putting together a type collection, but as highly collectible gold coins, they stand on their individual merits just as well.

What Coin Collectors Are Looking For

W Mint Marks

While most collectors are familiar with the S, D, and P mint marks on everyday coins, watch out for W, which signifies coins struck in West Point’s mint. These coins won’t show up in the change you get at the store but are often seen on bullion and commemorative issues. West Point has also struck some special edition coins for mint sets. Because it is often used by the mint to help encourage interest in coins and collecting, you can’t rule out its potential for additional runs in the future and possibly some strikes meant for circulation.

Bullion

Bullion coins, like the silver and gold American Eagles and Buffalos, are in current production and make beautiful additions to any collection. Bullion strikes have proven popular over the years, and since they’re offered in a set weight of precious metal, there is a floor to their price of that metal’s spot. More importantly, the potential ceiling for these investment-grade coins is incredibly high.

Errors

Errors are and will remain some of the most valuable coins to collect. With the United States Mint’s stringent quality control guidelines, relatively few make it into circulation. With more limited releases coming in circulation coins, such as the National Parks Washington Quarter, each with its own sets of dies, the opportunity for error to make it into circulation is higher than in any other time in the modern era.

Adding these gems to your collection can be both a rewarding hobby and incredibly lucrative. While you can acquire errors through the secondary market, they can also be found in your pocket change and rolls of coins you can buy at your bank for face value. There’s no risk involved because each coin is worth exactly what you paid for it if your search comes up empty.

Protect Your Valuable Coins

Coin collecting is an iterative passion. Enthusiasts invest significant amounts of time and money to curate their collections, but it can all disappear in a fire, natural disaster, or in the hands of thieves. It’s important to protect the value of your collection so you have the peace of mind to focus on finding the next addition.

BY pioneeradmin March 3, 2025

Coin Collecting, Coins, Notes, & Bullion, Copper Collectibles, Gold Collectibles, Numismatic Investing, Other

10 Rare Coins Expected To Soar in Value in the Next Five Years

Although it’s often referred to as the “Hobby of Kings,” coin collecting doesn’t discriminate between the rich and the poor (or between the regal and the common folk). While buying known rare coins can be a costly venture, you can start collecting for little to no money.

And you don’t need to be of a certain age to take up the hobby. In fact, according to the American Numismatic Association, “Interest in coin collecting has exploded over the last year or two, and many more young collectors are starting to enter the picture.”

The chances of finding a million dollar coin in your pocket is extremely rare, but it’s still worth your while to check attics and antique shops, with collectors and dealers or through buying coin rolls from the bank for coins still in circulation. Acquiring the increasingly valuable vintage coins listed here will either come from a lucky find or at an auction and only if you have millions to bid.

Here are 10 rare coins, including five still in circulation, that are certain to increase in value in the next five years.

1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny

Still in Circulation: Yes
Approximate Value: $240,000 to $336,000

A news release from the U.S. Mint in 1999 estimated that 40 copper-alloy cents were thought to exist, but it’s thought that number is closer to 20. In 1943, copper and nickel were needed for the Allied war effort, so most pennies from this era were struck in zinc-coated steel. However, a copper batch was released and can fetch between $240,000 and $336,000, according to CoinWeek.

For You: 3 Valuable Coins To Keep an Eye Out for in 2025

1794 Flowing Hair Dollar

Still in Circulation: No
Approximate Value: $10 million

Demand for the more common 1795 Silver Dollar keeps prices high, but the first silver dollar struck by the U.S. mint one year earlier is one of the rarest and most valuable of all U.S. coins, period. This “national treasure” sold for more than $10 million in 2013.

1969-S Lincoln Cent With Doubled Die Obverse

Still in Circulation: Yes
Approximate Value:$126,500

Worth upwards of $126,500 in near-perfect condition, according to Invaluable, there are less than 100 known examples of this Lincoln penny, and less than 40 have been authenticated. As such, any discovery of a 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse cent is big news in the coin hobby.

1913 Liberty Head Nickel

Still in Circulation: No
Approximate Value:$1.4 million

The coin is considered the holy grail of numismatic collectors because it was created in Philadelphia without the approval of the U.S. Mint and are as rare as hen’s teeth. Only Buffalo nickels were meant to be produced in 1913, but apparently five Liberty designs made them through. If, for some reason, you find a sixth that can be authenticated, you’ll be a new millionaire.

1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime

Still in Circulation: Yes
Approximate Value: $30 to $300

Mint marks are letters on coins that identify where they were made (“P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, etc.), but this 1982 dime is missing a mint mark. Not significantly valuable, they are still worth way more than its face value ($30 to $300, depending on condition, per CoinWeek).

1927-D St. Gaudens Double Eagle

Still in Circulation: No
Approximate Value:2.5 to 7 million

As Heritage Auctions noted, when President Roosevelt recalled all gold coins in 1933, about 180,000 Double Eagles were in circulation. Today, the 1927-D Double Eagle is considered to be the rarest U.S. gold coin of the 20th century. According to the Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS), a grade 67 specimen (uncirculated, with only minor imperfections) is worth about 7 million on the open market.

2005-D 5C Speared Bison Jefferson Nickel

Still in Circulation:Yes
Approx. Value:$150 to $450

Look closely at any 2005 Bison nickels you come across. If you find one with what looks to be a spear through the back of a buffalo, caused by a severe die break when stamping, keep it safe. While not terribly valuable compared to other coins, you should be able to get between $150 to $450 for one in decent condition (one went for $1,265 at an auction in 2010, per Invaluable). This is a good example of a recent coin that will increase in value over the next five years and a perfect starter coin for the burgeoning collector in your life.

1838-O Capped Bust Half Dollar

Still in Circulation: No
Approximate Value:$350,000 to $630,000

One of the first coins produced at the newly established New Orleans Mint, only about 20 of these coins were ever made because the new Mint experienced numerous mechanical breakdowns. According to USA Coin Book, 1838-O half dollars were actually produced in early 1839 using the old die, which is why so few of them were produced and known to exist today. They are worth hundreds of thousands if you’re lucky enough to find or inherit one.

1955 Doubled Die Penny

Still in Circulation: Yes
Approximate Value: $1,800

Most of these double dies (basically a misaligned striking of a coin, resulting in a duplicate image) from 1955 were distributed as change from cigarette vending machines. Doubling on the numbers and letters mean these are worth around $1,800 a piece.

1873-CC Liberty Seated Dime

Still in Circulation: No
Approximate Value: $1.8 Million

Last sold for $1,880,000 at auction in August 2012, this unique “No Arrows” dime from a Carson City (CC) mint is the only specimen of its kind. As with many of these coins, the story behind their creation and ownership history are worth reading.

BY pioneeradmin March 3, 2025

Coin Collecting, Coin Grading, Copper Collectibles, Numismatic Investing

Varieties vs Mint Errors: What’s the Difference?

Are mint errors and varieties the same thing? What’s the difference between the two? Mint errors are mistakes that happen during the manufacturing process. Varieties come from variations in the different dies used to strike the coins.

Mint Errors

Let’s start with mint errors. What are they anyway? A mint error is a mistake that happens during the manufacturing process. They are impediments or imperfections in the minting or striking process that impact the appearance of the coin. Since these are made by mistake, each error is unique, and no two will look exactly the same.

PCGS certifies most of the common mint errors but we do not certify any error coins that appear to be human-made instead of mint-made.

Here are a few of the common mint errors PCGS will grade:

Rotated Dies – This error occurs when one of the coin dies rotates leaving the front and back of the coin unaligned. PCGS will only grade coins with a die rotation of 20 degrees or more.

Mules – This error occurs when a coin is struck by mismatched dies. This means that the front of one coin is paired with the back of another or vice versa. The planchet used will tell you what denomination the coin was supposed to be. If the mule has a Lincoln Cent front and Roosevelt Dime back but was struck on a copper planchet, the coin was supposed to be a Lincoln Cent.

Brockages – This error occurs when a coin is struck with another coin. This happens when a coin gets stuck to the die and strikes the next planchet. This leaves the new planchet with an incuse mirror image of the design.

Broadstrikes – This error occurs when a coin is struck outside of its collar. The collar is the retaining ring in which a coin is struck, keeping it the correct diameter upon strike. When a coin is broadstruck, it expands beyond that ring or is struck without the retaining collar present, making the coin larger than intended.

Off-Center Strikes – This error occurs when a planchet is not perfectly placed between the two dies and is struck off-center. These coins are unusually shaped and are always missing part of the design. The off-center percentage is determined by how much of the blank planchet is visible. For example, if you can see 40% of the planchet, the coin is 40% off-center.

Wrong Planchets – A wrong planchet error occurs when a coin is struck on a planchet meant for a different coin. For example, an Eisenhower Dollar struck on a Kennedy Half Dollar planchet.

Varieties

Varieties are variations or slight differences in the different coin dies. They are often less obvious than mint errors and may include differently shaped mintmarks, different-sized dates, or missing elements – for example, the missing buffalo leg on the 1937 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel. Another very popular kind of variety is none other than the doubled die!

BY pioneeradmin February 24, 2025

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The Most Valuable Coins That Serious Collectors Want