Rare Coins List
The world of modern coins stopped for a moment on August 20, 2019, when an ultra-rare 1964 SMS Kennedy half dollar graded SP68 by PCGS and struck on a 90% silver planchet crossed the Stack’s.
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 find each year, but there are several valuable coins floating around that aren't all that old. They're often valuable for vastly different reasons — like the World War II-era coins minted from atypical metals, or double-printed pennies — but each one is easy to miss if you're not paying attention.
See also: Californian Couple Finds $10 Million Worth of Gold Coins in Tin Can
- Listed below are the top 10 most valuable U.S. The prices are based on actual auction results, private offers for these prohibitively rare coins and prices estimated for the coins not for sale, such as those in public hands like the National Collection at the Smithsonian Museum.
- If you are looking to buy rare coins online, Downies can help. Our numismatic experts are the ultimate collectors. They attend auctions in the hope of nabbing something extraordinary. A 1930 Australian Penny, perhaps. Or a Gold Johanna from Portugal. They are constantly on the lookout, and often the first in the race to secure a lucky hoard find.
Check out these eight coins that are worth a lot more than their intended value.
1. 2004 Wisconsin state quarter with extra leaf
Value: Up to $300
Rare Coins List Penny
Find an average Wisconsin state quarter from 2004, and that will get you one-fourth of a bag of chips. Find one with either the high or low leaf error, and you can get a whole lot more.
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 lurking in the back.
However, 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.
2. 1995 double die penny
Value: $20 - $50
This penny has a double-printed obverse (heads side) that makes the 'LIBERTY' and 'IN GOD WE TRUST' look blurry. The error has happened before, in 1969 and 1972, and those versions of the coins are much more valuable.
3. 1942-1945 silver nickel
Value: 56 cents - $12.25
During World War II, the United States needed to save as much nickel as possible for military uses. Consequently, it started minting nickels made of 35% silver. Melting down pennies and nickels is a federal offense, but the coin might still fetch you enough for a decent lunch, if it's in good condition.
4. 1943 steel penny
Value: 45 cents - $10
Pennies were made from steel during wartime, for the same reasons nickels were made partially from silver — steel pennies helped preserve copper for World War II. However, the switch only lasted one year.
5. Ben Franklin half-dollar
Value: $12 - $125
In 1948, the U.S. mint began circulating half-dollar coins with images of Ben Franklin and an eagle — which is funny, considering Franklin opposed the bald eagle's nomination as the nation's bird, in favor of a wild turkey.
Rare Coins List India
Franklin's portrait on the coin was replaced by John F. Kennedy in 1964, following the president's 1963 assassination.
6. 1932-1964 silver quarter
Rare Coins List Quarters
Value: $7 - $65
Between 1932 and 1964, quarters were 90% silver and 10% copper. These silver quarters look like any pre-state quarter 25-cent piece, but are worth a lot more if they're in the right condition.
7. 'In God We Rust' 2005 Kansas state quarter
Value: Up to $100
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.
8. Presidential dollar coin with lettering errors
Value: $20 - $45
In 2007, the U.S. Mint began printing a series of dollar coins featuring presidents. Many of the early coins, especially those with George Washington, have errant or missing lettering along the edge of the coin.
One of the largest coin shops on the Pacific Coast is Jack H. Beymer’s Big Oak Plaza Coins located in Santa Rosa, known as the “City of Roses”. Named after the fabled plant architect Luther Burbank, who created the thornless rose and the Shasta daisy, Santa Rosa today is a pleasant city to visit. Since 1971 Jack H. Beymer has been buying and selling rare coins to residents and visitors of the Redwood Empire. The Big Oak Plaza Coins has a spacious showroom with showcases full of every manner of coin and wall lined with rare paper currency prints as well as proof and historic sets.
Jack and his staff buy and sell rare coins. Showcases display Indian pennies, wheat pennies, buffalo nickels, pre-1964 Mercury and Roosevelt dimes, Washington and Seated Liberty quarters, Walking Liberty and Franklin half dollars as well as the fabled Morgan and Peace silver dollars. There are also gold coins, including “California Gold Rush” $20 Double Eagles, $10 Eagles, $5 Eagles and $2 1/2 Eagles. Both the Indian (1908 – 1929) and the Coronet Head 1839 – 1908 are in stock. There are also some magnificent silver tokens, proof sets, gold nuggets and silver bars. Why not stop by and explore Jack’s world full of memories from the past and make a purchase that will bring you years of pleasure.
Speaking of our children, Jack points out that one of the nicest ways to instill value and savings is to get your kids hooked on coin collecting. Why not bring the family in for a tour of American and World history through the coins that Jack and his talented staff can show them. To start with you can buy a Whitman folder for Indian or wheat pennies and get your kids started on coin collecting. Remember “the wealth of a nation and success of a family can be judged by the thoughtful resourcefullness of its youth!”
The Big Oak Plaza Coins hours are 9am – 5pm Monday through Saturday. You can pay for your coins by credit cards – MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express, approved checks or by cash. Inquire about Jack’s newsletter and mailing list.