8 Rare Coins Worth More than Their Original Value
Are you still carrying pennies and quarters in your wallet? Well, they could be worth thousands. The value of coins is often judged by their face value unless you are a coin connoisseur. In that case, these coins can fetch you hundreds of dollars. Coin collecting can seem like a tedious hobby, but the history and knowledge you gain are unmatchable. It takes practice, patience, and an expert eye to recognize coins that are truly valuable.
1933: Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
Coin enthusiasts are no stranger to Saint- Gaudens Double Eagle, which was initially minted in 1907. It wasn’t until the gold recall in 1933 that people started returning these coins in favor of paper money. Although quite a handful of these coins are still available today, their 1933 version is the most sought after. Within this group of coins, the 1933 coins are probably worth a lot of money. The $20 coin was being sold for an upward of $18,000 as of 2021.
1804: Draped Bust Dollar
In 1984, the Jackson administration proposed the minting of silver coins. Their production was minimized in order to overcome the dangers of counterfeit dollars. Jackson’s administration ordered the minting of eight coins of silver. The Draped Bust Dollar was also the only one to be minted with the year 1804 on it. Currently, if you check the coin prices, you’ll find that each of these eight silver coins is valued at more than one million dollars.
The Brasher Doubloon
One of the most valuable coins in American history was made by a New York City goldsmith in the 18th century. The Brasher Doubloon sports the state seal on the front with the American eagle on the other side. The coin’s rarity can be owed to only seven of them being minted. Ephraim Doubloon’s coin was made back when NYC still had the right to issue the state’s own coinage. Out of the original seven, only one of these coins is believed to have Brasher’s signature on the eagle’s chest. Currently, the rare coin is priced at approximately $9 million.
1913: Liberty Head V Nickel
The Liberty Head V Nickel is the latest addition as compared to some other coins that have great value. It is believed that five of these coins are known to exist. Two of these original five can be found in museums and the Smithsonian Institution. If you are interested in finding out where the other three coins are, keep an eye out for auctions. The Liberty Head V Nickel is among the rare coins priced as high as $4.5 million approximately.
1943: Lincoln Head Copper Penny
Back in 1943, when copper was being sourced for wars, steel pennies were minted with zinc coating, which gave them extra luster. But, a production accident manufactured a whole batch of copper pennies – the Lincoln Head copper pennies – minted in 1943. Since only a handful of these ever left the facility, their value skyrocketed. The original coin is valued at around $10,000 a piece in the rare coins value chart. However, before you decide to buy one, ensure that it is a real coin. There are quite a few fake copper pennies in circulation.
1974: Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
The Flowing Hair Silver Dollar was originally minted in 1974. The design was later replaced by another one of the most valuable coins in October 1975. It would have been difficult for people to assume its value on the charts. This particular coin achieved fame later in 2010 when it was sold for approximately $10,000. The coin has a picture of Lady Liberty with flowing hair. The 1974 coins are worth more money, but it is quite easier to find the ones minted in 1975.
1909: VDB Penny
The first of its kind, the VDB penny is particularly rare thanks to its three initial signatures. Victor David Brenner was the first to deviate from the usual two-initial signatures that were present on coins back then. The designer put his signature in between the wheat ears on the coin’s wrong side. The American Treasury pushed for the removal of the engraver’s initials. However, since thousands of dollars had been invested for its circulation, it would have been a difficult task to accomplish. In 2014, a VDB penny was auctioned off for $117500 by Heritage Auctions.
1870: Seated Liberty Dollar
There is something quite fascinating about this 1870 coin. Although eleven of these have been traced, there are no official records of the coins ever existing. Among the various S Seated Liberty Dollars, the ones with the San Francisco mint mark on them are the most valuable coins. Out of the eleven, only nine have been known to be properly preserved. A single specimen of the category was recently sold for more than $760,000.