33 Old Coins Sitting in Jars at Home That Could Be Worth a Small Fortune
Your coin jar probably contains more value than you realize. Most people sort through spare change once a year, pull out the quarters, and call it a day.
But if that jar has been collecting change for decades, it likely contains coins worth far more than their face value. The difference between a penny that costs one cent to make and a penny worth $3,000 comes down to a single digit or an error that happened during minting.
Learning to spot these coins takes five minutes. Finding them pays.
The coins listed here represent the types of valuable pieces that genuinely do sit in jars, desk drawers, and old collections. Most are worth between $1 and $20 in worn condition.
Some are worth hundreds. A few are worth thousands.
Wheat Pennies from 1909 to 1958
Any penny minted before 1959 features wheat stalks on the reverse instead of the Lincoln Memorial. These are not rare, but they are valuable because copper was removed during minting after 1958.
Most wheat pennies are worth between one and five cents beyond face value, but early dates and those with mint marks like “S” or “D” can reach $10 to $50 depending on condition. The 1909-S VDB penny is exceptionally rare and can exceed $1,000 in good condition.
Mercury Dimes from 1916 to 1945
The Mercury dime shows Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap and is composed of 90 percent silver. Any Mercury dime is worth at least $1.50 to $2 for its silver content, but key dates—particularly the 1916-D—can fetch $300 or more.
Most collectors will find Mercury dimes worth between $3 and $8 each, but checking the mint mark and date can sometimes reveal a coin worth significantly more.
Buffalo Nickels from 1913 to 1938
These nickels feature an American Indian on the obverse and a buffalo on the reverse. The Buffalo nickel was minted in large quantities, so most circulated examples are worth only slightly more than face value.
However, dates like 1913-no S and 1918-D in good condition can be worth $15 to $50, and exceptional examples have sold for several hundred dollars. They are common enough that you will likely find several in an old jar.
Morgan Dollars from 1878 to 1921
If a single dollar coin from the 1800s is lurking in your jar, this is probably it. Morgan dollars are composed of 90 percent silver and weigh much more than modern coins.
The most common dates are worth $20 to $35 for silver content and collector appeal. Key dates like the 1889-CC can exceed $500.
A Morgan dollar in the bottom of a jar is one of the most valuable surprises people discover.
Peace Dollars from 1921 to 1935
Peace dollars were minted after World War I and contain 90 percent silver like their Morgan predecessors. Common dates sell for $18 to $28 based on silver content and condition.
Rare dates like the 1927-D and 1935-S can be worth $100 or more. These large coins are easy to spot in a jar because of their significant weight and size.
Walking Liberty Half Dollars from 1916 to 1947
These beautiful coins show Lady Liberty striding across the face and are 90 percent silver. Any Walking Liberty half dollar is worth at least $7 to $9 for its silver content.
Certain dates and mint marks can be worth $20 to $100. Finding a Walking Liberty half dollar in circulation is increasingly rare, which is why collectors value them so highly in any condition.
Kennedy Half Dollars from 1964 and Earlier
Kennedy half dollars minted in 1964 or earlier contain 90 percent silver, making them instantly valuable beyond face value. A 1964 Kennedy half dollar is worth approximately $8 to $12 for silver content alone, with key dates worth more.
Those minted after 1964 contain 40% silver and are worth face value, so checking the date is essential before considering them collectible.
Roosevelt Dimes from 1946 to 1964
All Roosevelt dimes minted before 1965 are composed of 90 percent silver and are worth between $1.50 and $3 for metal content. Key dates like 1949-S and 1955-S can exceed $10 in circulated condition.
Even common dates have intrinsic value that makes them worth extracting from everyday change.
Washington Quarters from 1932 to 1964
Quarters minted before 1965 contain 90 percent silver and are worth approximately $4 to $6 for silver content in circulated condition. Key dates like the 1932-D and 1932-S can be worth $100 or more.
Checking the mint mark on any older quarter immediately identifies whether it has silver content.
Standing Liberty Quarters from 1916 to 1930
These quarters predate the Washington design and feature Lady Liberty standing on one side. They contain 90 percent silver and many are worth $15 to $30 for condition and silver content combined.
Rare dates and mint marks can reach $100. The distinctive design makes these instantly recognizable in a jar.
Barber Dimes from 1892 to 1916
Named after designer Charles Barber, these dimes are 90 percent silver and feature Lady Liberty on the obverse. Most circulated examples are worth $3 to $8 for silver and collector value.
Key dates like the 1894-S are exceptionally rare and worth hundreds of dollars, though common dates are still worth extracting from your spare change.
Barber Quarters from 1892 to 1916
Barber quarters match the dime design and contain 90 percent silver. Most circulated examples are worth $12 to $18 for silver content and age.
Key dates can exceed $100. Any quarter from this era is valuable enough to keep separate from modern coins.
Barber Half Dollars from 1892 to 1915
These half dollars feature the same Lady Liberty design as Barber dimes and quarters and are 90 percent silver. Most circulated examples are worth $15 to $30.
Key dates and mint marks can reach $200. Their size makes them prominent in a collection once you start looking for them.
Large Cents from 1857 and Earlier
Coins minted before 1857 were larger than modern pennies and are instantly recognizable by their size. Most are worth $2 to $10, while rare dates and mint marks can be worth $50 or more.
Early large cents from the 1790s in any condition are worth at least $50 to $100.
Indian Head Cents from 1859 to 1909
These pennies show Lady Liberty wearing a Native American headdress and often turn up in old collections. Most are worth between one and three dollars, but key dates like the 1877 and 1909-S VDB can be worth hundreds.
Any Indian Head cent has numismatic value beyond face value.
Two Cent Pieces from 1864 to 1873
These coins are unusual because they are not commonly known and were only minted for a short period. Most two cent pieces are worth $8 to $15.
Rare dates can exceed $50. Finding one in a jar is a genuine surprise because they are genuinely uncommon.
Three Cent Pieces
Three cent pieces were produced in two compositions: silver (1851-1873) and nickel (1865-1889). Silver three cent pieces are worth $10 to $25, while nickel versions are worth $4 to $12.
Their small size and unusual denomination make them easy to overlook in a collection of mixed coins.
Twenty Cent Pieces from 1875 to 1878
These coins are rare and were minted for only a few years. Most examples are worth $30 to $100, with key dates worth considerably more.
Any twenty cent piece discovered in a jar is a significant find because so few were produced and even fewer remain in collections.
Susan B. Anthony Dollars from 1979 to 1981 and 1999
These dollars often turn up in jars because people thought they were worthless and saved them instead of spending them. Most are worth face value unless they have mint errors.
Certain years and mint marks, particularly the 1981-S, are worth $5 to $15 in uncirculated condition.
Eisenhower Dollars from 1971 to 1978
These large dollars are often saved rather than spent. Most are worth face value in worn condition, but uncirculated examples and certain years can be worth $5 to $15.
The 1776 bicentennial reverse versions from 1976 are common but still worth checking for uncirculated specimens.
Presidential Dollar Coins from 2007 to 2016
While modern, these coins are often saved and rarely circulated. Most are worth face value, but uncirculated versions and rare mint mark combinations can be worth $2 to $5 each.
Collecting all of them becomes a hobby, which creates collector value.
2004 Wisconsin State Quarter Error
This quarter has an extra corn ear in the design due to a minting error. These error coins are worth between $100 and $1,000, making it one of the most valuable error coins in recent years.
If you have any 2004 Wisconsin state quarters, inspect them carefully for the extra leaf.
1943 Copper Penny
During World War II, pennies were made from steel instead of copper. However, a few copper blanks were mistakenly used, creating the 1943 copper penny.
These coins are worth $50,000 to $100,000 depending on condition. Finding one in a jar is extraordinarily unlikely but not impossible.
1969-S Double Die Obverse Penny
This penny has doubled digits on the obverse due to a minting error that occurred only a few times. Examples in good condition can be worth $1,000 to $5,000.
Any 1960s penny from San Francisco should be inspected closely for this error.
Kennedy Half Dollar from 1970-D with No Mint Mark
Due to a minting error, some Kennedy half dollars from 1970 were produced without a mint mark at the Denver facility. These are worth $150 to $300 depending on condition.
Examining half dollars from this year can reveal this specific error.
Rare Mint Mark Combinations
Coins from the San Francisco mint carry the “S” mark, while Denver coins carry the “D.” Philadelphia coins from certain eras have no mark. Rare combinations of year and mint mark can be worth significantly more than common versions.
Checking mint marks on older coins always pays.
Struck Through Error Coins
Occasionally, foreign objects fall onto the coin die during striking, creating an indent or “struck through” error. These error coins are worth $20 to $200 depending on the visibility and appeal of the error.
Any coin with an unusual indentation or strike-through should be examined by a collector.
Off-Center Strike Coins
When a coin is struck off-center, it creates an unusual appearance that collectors value. Depending on the degree of the error and the coin type, off-center coins are worth $5 to $50.
Any coin that appears to be struck off its normal position has potential value.
Clipped Planchet Coins
Before a coin is stamped, it must be cut from a sheet of metal. Occasionally, a piece of metal that was only partially cut gets struck anyway, creating a coin with a curved or jagged edge.
These error coins are worth $3 to $50 depending on how much of the coin is missing.
Gold Coins from Any Era
Any coin that is obviously made of gold, regardless of denomination, is worth at least its weight in gold bullion. A gold coin minted before 1933 in the United States is worth at least $500 to $5,000 depending on denomination and condition.
Finding gold coins in a jar is rare but represents the highest potential payoff.
Silver Proof Coins from Proof Sets
Proof sets were sold by the U.S. Mint as collector sets and contain specially struck coins. If a proof coin from a pre-1965 set has been separated from its set, it retains significant value.
These coins are worth between $5 and $50 depending on year and composition. Check for any coins with unusual mirror-like finishes, which indicate they are proofs.
Commemorative Coins
The U.S. Mint periodically releases commemorative coins for specific events or people. These coins have limited mintage and collectible value.
Most are worth $15 to $50 depending on age and condition, with older commemoratives worth considerably more. Any unusual coin from a specific commemorative release should be checked.
Finding Your Fortune in Change
Most coin jars contain at least one coin worth more than face value. The key is checking dates, mint marks, and condition carefully before dismissing anything as common change.
Even a jar of mostly worthless coins often contains enough silver coins and error pieces to be worth between $20 and $100. Older jars and collections have proportionally higher value.
More from Go2Tutors!
- The Romanov Crown Jewels and Their Tragic Fate
- 13 Historical Mysteries That Science Still Can’t Solve
- Famous Hoaxes That Fooled the World for Years
- 15 Child Stars with Tragic Adult Lives
- 16 Famous Jewelry Pieces in History
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
