What Are the Most Sought After Coins?

Coin collecting is an enduring pastime in American culture. Whether you're a novice or a veteran, you always know the money in your pocket could possibly be worth more than it’s traditional value, and because of this, buying and selling coins can be an exciting hobby.

Several aspects should be considered when it comes to hunting down new coins. Coins that either had a short run of production or a batch that had an error are considered rare and often offer the highest value yield. Also, coins with historical significance, such as circumstantial creation, are highly sought after as well.

Each currency denomination contains series or batches of in-demand coins. For instance, Lincoln pennies were first produced in 1909 have had a long history of value. While the value of the basic penny is less than the costs required to make one, some of these historical cents can earn you a pretty penny!

In 1955, a Philadelphia mint factory made an error in the creation of a dye used to create the penny. About 50,000 pennies were created with the year 1955 printed twice, overlapping each other. The value of this penny ranges for hundreds of dollars to thousands depending on the condition.

During World War II, copper had to be conserved for military use, and the production of pennies in steel occurred between 1943-1944 with limited circulation. Coins in this time frame range from the hundreds to hundreds of thousands. There also were some bronze pennies created accidentally in 1943 which have sold for over $1 million previously.

Similar scenarios have yielded high value returns for collectors in other denominations. State quarters from the early 2000’s with idiosyncrasies, such as misspells for the 2005 Kansas Quarter or issues with the artwork like the 2004 Wisconsin Quarter, have yielded for collectors at least twenty times it’s worth to date. A dime from the year 1873 has provided sellers with almost $2 million dollars.

Examining your everyday change can bring you much fortune, if you are lucky, and this is a great way to get started if you are new to the coin collecting hobby. By visiting a local collecting shop, such as the Coin Galleries of Oyster Bay, you can also educate yourself on other coins that are valuable.