26 Coins and Bills Still Turning Up in Change Jars
Valuable coins and bills circulate through the economy looking exactly like normal currency, and people discover them when emptying change jars or sorting through old drawers. Most of these finds are worth only their face value, but certain dates, mint marks, and variations can make coins and bills worth significantly more to collectors.
The key is recognizing which coins and bills have numismatic value beyond their immediate worth, and understanding that condition dramatically affects valuation—a rare coin in poor condition might be worth twice face value, while the same coin in excellent condition could be worth fifty times face value.
Wheat Pennies 1909-1958
Any penny minted between 1909 and 1958 featuring a wheat design instead of the Lincoln Memorial has potential collector value. Most wheat pennies are worth 2 to 25 cents above face value depending on mint mark and condition, but rare dates and mint mark combinations can be worth $100 or more.
Pennies from the 1910s and 1920s command higher premiums than later examples.
Rare Date Pennies 1922 No Mint Mark
The 1922 penny with no mint mark from the Denver Mint is rare because the mint mark was usually present on pennies from that era. Well-preserved examples can be worth $500 to $800 depending on condition.
Even worn examples of this date are worth more than face value.
Indian Head Pennies 1859-1909
Pennies featuring the Indian head design from 1859 to 1909 have collector value, with most examples worth $1 to $10 or more above face value. Rare dates and excellent condition examples can command $50 to $500.
These older pennies are increasingly scarce in circulation.
Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938
Buffalo nickels minted between 1913 and 1938 are sought by collectors, with most examples worth 50 cents to $5 above face value. Scarcer dates and mint mark combinations can be worth $10 to $100 or more.
Nickels with sharp details command higher prices than worn examples.
Mercury Dimes 1916-1945
Dimes featuring Lady Liberty (called “Mercury” dimes) from 1916 to 1945 have collector value, with most examples worth 10 to 50 cents above face value. Key dates and scarce mint marks can be worth $10 to $200 or more.
These dimes remain relatively common in change.
Standing Liberty Quarters 1916-1930
Quarters featuring Liberty standing in full figure from 1916 to 1930 are collectible, with most examples worth 25 cents to $2 above face value. Rare dates and excellent condition examples can command $50 to $300 or more.
These distinctive designs make them recognizable to knowledgeable collectors.
Key Date Morgan Dollars 1878-1904
Silver dollars featuring Lady Liberty and an eagle design are highly sought, with most examples containing $20 to $50 or more in silver value alone regardless of rarity. Specific dates and mint marks dramatically increase value, with 1889-CC examples worth $100 to $500 or more.
These dollar-sized coins are heavy and substantial enough to notice.
Peace Dollars 1921-1935
Silver dollars minted from 1921 to 1935 feature Liberty on one side and an eagle on the reverse. These contain approximately $15 to $25 in silver value alone, and rare mint marks increase numismatic value significantly.
Better dates can be worth $50 to $500 or more.
Susan B. Anthony Dollar 1979-1981
Susan B. Anthony dollars are actually $1 coins that were unpopular because they’re the same size as quarters. Though still circulating, most examples are worth face value plus silver content in some years.
Certain mint mark combinations are worth significantly above face value to collectors.
Eisenhower Dollar 1971-1976
Eisenhower dollars feature a large silver-colored coin that never circulated widely. Most have limited collector value beyond face value, but specific mint marks and dates have modest premiums.
These large coins are distinctive and easy to notice.
Susan B. Anthony Dollar 1979 Mint Mark S
The 1979-S Susan B. Anthony dollar minted in San Francisco has a mark on the coin itself that makes it identifiable. Certain years have increased collector value beyond face value, though most remain worth approximately $1 to $2 above face value.
Presidential Dollars 2007-2016
Presidential dollars from 2007 to 2016 have minimal collector value in most cases, but uncommon mint marks and specific dates command small premiums. Most examples in circulation are worth face value, but uncirculated versions can be worth $2 to $5.
Sacagawea Dollars
Sacagawea dollars minted in various years have limited collector value, though certain rare mint marks and dates command premiums over face value. Most circulating examples are worth approximately face value plus $1 or $2.
Kennedy Half Dollars 1964 and Earlier
Half dollars minted in 1964 and earlier contain 90 percent silver content, making them worth approximately $7 to $10 in silver value alone regardless of rarity. These are actively collected for precious metal content, and finding them in change is uncommon enough to notice.
Kennedy Half Dollars 1965-1970 Bonus
Kennedy half dollars minted from 1965 to 1970 contain 40 percent silver content, giving them approximately $2.50 to $3.50 in silver value. The reduced silver content makes these less valuable than pre-1965 examples but still worth more than face value.
Washington Quarters Before 1965
Any quarter minted before 1965 contains 90 percent silver, making it worth approximately $3.50 to $5 depending on silver prices regardless of rarity. These are actively sought by silver stackers and found in occasional change jars.
Washington Quarters 1965-1970
Quarters minted from 1965 to 1970 contain 40 percent silver content, giving them approximately $1 to $1.50 in silver value. Finding them occasionally in change represents a modest bonus over face value.
Silver Dimes 1964 and Earlier
Any dime minted before 1965 contains 90 percent silver, making it worth approximately $1.20 to $1.50 depending on silver prices regardless of rarity. These are actively collected and worth significantly above face value.
Rare Date Quarters 1932-D
The 1932-D quarter minted in Denver is among the most valuable regular quarters, with examples worth $100 to $300 or more depending on condition. This rare date continues to circulate occasionally in change, representing a potential major find.
State Quarter Errors and Rare Versions
State quarters minted from 1999 to 2008 have minimal collector value in most cases, but specific error varieties command collector premiums. Off-center coins, doubled dies, and other striking errors can be worth $10 to $200 or more.
Rare $2 Bills
$2 bills, though not rare, are uncommon enough in circulation that many people believe they’re valuable. Most $2 bills printed after 1976 are worth face value, but pre-1966 examples contain collector value for serious paper money collectors.
Finding any $2 bill in change is unusual.
Rare $1 Bill Series
$1 bills with specific printing characteristics, error varieties, or very low serial numbers attract collectors. Most circulating $1 bills are worth face value, but specific series and conditions can increase collector value modestly.
Finding a very low serial number bill is uncommon.
Error Bills with Double Printing
Currency notes with printing errors, such as partial double printing of the image, can be worth $50 to $500 or more depending on the severity of the error. These odd-looking bills pass through change regularly and most people discard them.
Misprinted Denominations
Bills printed with incorrect denominations or partial denominations are extremely rare because modern printing quality is tight. When they occur, they can be worth significantly more than face value to collectors of currency errors.
Foreign Coins in Change Jars
Occasionally foreign coins mix into change jars and get overlooked. Most foreign coins are worth face value in their home country but have no value in domestic circulation.
Rare foreign coins or those with precious metal content can have collector value.
Valuable $100 Bills
$100 bills from certain years and specific serial number ranges command collector interest. Low serial number bills are particularly valued, with bills numbered below 00000100 potentially worth thousands.
Star notes (indicated by a star before the serial number) attract collectors willing to pay premiums.
The Long Odds and Occasional Jackpots
The chances of discovering valuable currency in change jars are small—most coins found are worth their face value plus minimal collector premiums. But the occasional discovery of a rare date, mint mark, or error bill makes the search worthwhile.
The key is recognizing which coins warrant closer examination and understanding that condition dramatically affects value even among rare coins.
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