A simple coin, which probably came from your pair of jeans, is an everyday incident that could perhaps change your life. Some rare coins become that way because of history, some due to a minting error, and some due to a few thousand coins being minted in the first place.
Now these become historical really quickly, making such a coin worth – say up to millions of dollars. Some information follows on four such rare coins; should you be fortunate enough to come across any one of them, it could be worth more than $1.7 million.
1. 1796 Draped Bust Quarter
This rare coin’s minting in 1796 was one of the very special events in American history since it stands as one of the earliest American coins.
- Minting details: The United States Mint produced the coin in 1796, and fewer than 6,145 pieces were struck.
- Design: The obverse shows the draped bust, and the reverse features the inscription small eagle.
- Unique aspect: This design was only available in 1796, making this coin unique.
- Auction price: The very rare 1796 quarter was auctioned for $1.74 million (around Rs.14.5 crore) with a B-2 die and MS64 grade.
2. 1969-S Lincoln Cent with Doubled Die Obverse
The coin looks like any other normal coin but this one had an unusual defect, that is, the doubled die error, and that made its price go into the millions.
- Mint mark: The San Francisco Mint produced this coin and it bears the “S” mint mark.
- Error details: The doubled die effect is visible on the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the obverse.
- Rarity: Hardly a few coins of this type with this error have been found, thus making this coin immensely popular with collectors.
- Price: A 1969-S Lincoln Cent Doubled Die in MS64 grade fetched $126,500 (about Rs 1.06 crore).
3. 1975 No S Proof Dime
This special dime (10-cent coins) of 1975 had a major minting error that made it priceless.
- Minting Error: The absence of the “S” mint mark on this proof dime made at the San Francisco Mint is a mistake.
- Production Numbers: A total of 2.84 million (28.4 lakhs) proof sets were made in 1975, but only 2 of them came with this error.
- Auction price: A 1975 No-S Proof Dime sold for $456,000 (roughly Rs. 3.8 crores) in 2019, while recently another coin was sold for $506,250 (doing approx Rs. 4.2 crores).
4. 1934-S Peace Silver Dollar
The rarity of this coin is believed to be due to its historical background and limited number of production.
- Minting Details: The San Francisco Mint in 1934 produced a total of 1,011,000 copies of this coin.
- Design: The obverse features Lady Liberty, while the reverse displays an eagle perched.
- Special feature: The coin is extremely costly due to its status as a high-grade specimen.
- Auction Price: A 1934-S Peace Silver Dollar, graded MS66+, was auctioned for $79,313 (about Rs 66 lakh).
Table of Valuable Coins
| Coin | Year | Mint Mark | Unique Feature | Approximate Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draped Bust Quarter | 1796 | None | One-year type design | $1.74 million |
| Lincoln Cent | 1969 | S | Doubled die obverse | $126,500 |
| No S Proof Dime | 1975 | None | Missing “S” mint mark | $506,250 |
| Peace Silver Dollar | 1934 | S | Limited mintage, high grade | $79,313 |
If you think your coin might be one of the four rare coins mentioned here, then it is best to go get a professional appraisal done before you actually decide to sell the coin. These specialists will confirm the legitimacy of your coin and establish its value.
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If you fancy coinage or are looking at collecting old coins for investment purposes, then take a look in your pocket- who knows one of those coins might potentially make you a millionaire!
FAQs:-
Which rare coin is the most valuable on this list?
The 1796 Draped Bust Quarter, which has sold for up to $1.74 million at auction.
How can I identify these rare coins in my pocket?
Check the year, mint mark, and design details; errors like doubled die or missing mint marks make them valuable.
Where is the mint mark located on the 1934-S Peace Silver Dollar?
The “S” mint mark is on the reverse side, below the word “ONE” and above the eagle’s tail feathers.