Hidden Treasures in Your Pocket: Which Change Worth Hunting For?

You’ve probably tossed loose coins into a jar without a second thought, but that drawer of forgotten change worth potentially hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars could be sitting right in your home. Before making a trip to Coinstar, here’s what you need to know about spotting valuable coins still circulating today.

The key is knowing exactly what to look for. Collectors and dealers track specific mint marks, dates, and production errors that can turn ordinary pocket change into serious cash. Some of these coins are worth $500 or more, yet they remain in circulation because most people never bother to examine them closely.

Pennies: The Most Accessible Treasure

Since 1793, pennies have been the most abundant coin in American circulation. The modern Lincoln penny debuted in 1909 and has remained largely unchanged for over a century, making old pennies relatively easy to spot if you know what to hunt for.

1909-S VDB ($700+): Designer Victor David Brenner originally stamped his initials on this coin’s reverse, but public objection led to their removal after just one year. These original specimens now command prices exceeding $700 in good condition.

1922 Plain Cent ($500+): Denver-minted pennies from 1922 typically bore a “D” mark, but worn minting dies caused some coins to lose this identifier entirely. These error coins are worth over $500 each, making them one of the most profitable finds in everyday change.

1999 Wide “AM” ($50-$500): During the Lincoln Memorial’s 90-year commemorative penny run, two versions existed. The scarcer wide-spacing variant—where the “A” and “M” in AMERICA are farther apart—can fetch anywhere from $50 to $500 depending on condition.

Nickels: Small Coins, Big Values

Thomas Jefferson has graced the nickel since 1938, making these coins relatively common in circulation. However, certain wartime specimens and error coins command premium prices.

1943-P Doubled Eye ($275+): Minted during wartime metal rationing, these nickels feature a doubled die error on Jefferson’s eye, making them sought-after by collectors.

1943/2-P ($600+): This wartime nickel represents a dramatic minting error—the “3” in the date was stamped directly over a “2,” creating a unique coin worth $600 or more.

1949-D/S ($300+): Another error coin from the mid-century era, this specimen shows a Denver “D” mint mark superimposed over the original San Francisco “S,” making it a high-value find.

Dimes: Common Coins with Uncommon Value

Dimes are ubiquitous in change, yet certain specimens can be remarkably valuable. While silver content doesn’t always drive up prices as much as collectors assume, specific rare versions do command attention.

1964-P Roosevelt Dime—Special Mint Set ($10,000): This isn’t your average dime. Specimens from special collector sets can fetch an astounding $10,000 or more in pristine condition.

1901-S Barber Dime ($60+): These historic Barber design dimes with San Francisco mint marks are particularly scarce. Good condition examples regularly sell for $60 or higher.

1982 No-P Roosevelt Dime ($75+): When Philadelphia’s minting equipment wore out mid-production, some dimes were struck without any mint mark. A missing “P” on an otherwise normal 1982 dime indicates a significant error worth $75 or more.

Quarters: Modern Rarities Still in Circulation

Though quarters began in 1796, George Washington didn’t appear until 1932. The 50-state program introduced modern collecting opportunities, with some quarters becoming instantly valuable due to production mistakes.

1925-1930 Dateless Quarters ($5+): Many quarters from this era lack a date stamp entirely. While modest in value at around $5 each, they’re still worth separating from regular change.

1932-S Walking Liberty ($300+): This commemorative design saw limited circulation—only roughly 200,000 pieces minted. Specimens in good condition regularly fetch over $300.

2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf ($125+): The Denver mint accidentally created these quarters with an additional leaf in the Wisconsin design. With minimal circulation and high collector demand, these now command $100-plus for decent examples.

Half Dollars: The Overlooked Category

Half dollars rarely circulate compared to other denominations, yet they represent some of the most accessible rare coins from the 20th century. Earlier versions from the 1700s and 1800s command exponentially higher prices, but these specimens are still findable today.

1921-D Walking Liberty ($300+): With only approximately 200,000 pieces minted, this half dollar’s low production numbers make it inherently scarce. Examples in good condition sell for $300 or more.

1998-S Matte Finish Kennedy ($150+): This recent addition to the collectible half dollar market was part of a special set honoring Robert F. Kennedy. Limited circulation has preserved values at $150-plus depending on condition.

1955 Bugs Bunny Franklin ($55+): A die error during minting gave President Franklin an unfortunate buck-tooth appearance. These quirky coins have sold for $50 or more in solid condition.

Is Your Change Worth the Search?

The math is simple: the rarer the coin, the higher the potential payoff. However, odds suggest most change jars contain common examples. Your best strategy involves quickly scanning for silver-content coins (pre-1964 denominations) and wartime pieces (1941-1945), which represent more realistic finds than these ultra-rare specimens.

You can photograph questionable coins and search online databases, but weigh whether your time investment justifies the potential return. For most people, finding even one valuable specimen would justify an afternoon spent inspecting that forgotten jar of change worth exploring one last time before converting it to cash.