Welcome to the treasure trove of numismatics! Are you ready to dive into the world of coins, where history, art, and economy blend seamlessly? In this captivating journey, we’ll explore the “11 Most Valuable” pieces across various denominations – nickels, quarters, half dollars, silver dollars, dimes, pennies, and specific collections like Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars, Barber Half Dollars, and Walking Liberty Half Dollars.
These coins are not just metal; they are stories, legacies, and, sometimes, the stuff of legends. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a budding enthusiast, or simply curious about the value hidden in plain sight, this post promises to shine a light on those elusive coins that make the numismatic world sparkle.
So, buckle up as we unveil the gems that have captivated collectors and investors alike, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of our shared history through the lens of coinage.
11 Most Valuable Nickels
1913 Liberty Head Nickel: Among the rarest with only 5 known, highly sought after by collectors. Prices exceed $1 million, with some sales over $3 million for exceptional specimens.
1926-S Buffalo Nickel: Noted for its low mintage, making it a collector’s favorite. Prices range from $200 to $300 in lower grades to over $25,000 in higher grades (MS65 and above).
1916/16 Buffalo Nickel (Doubled Die Obverse): A rare error with clear doubling of the date. Values range from $3,000 to $5,000 in lower grades to over $100,000 for top grades.
1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel: Resulting from a mint error, this coin lacks one buffalo leg. Prices range from $400 to $600 in lower grades to $50,000 to $100,000 in uncirculated condition.
1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel (Overdate): Features a 7 overstruck on an 8, adding to its rarity. In lower grades, it can fetch $1,000 to $2,000, soaring above $50,000 in higher grades.
1924-S Buffalo Nickel: Low mintage contributes to its rarity, particularly in higher grades. Prices start at $100 to $200 in lower grades, reaching upwards of $20,000 in MS65.
1913-S Type 2 Buffalo Nickel: Low mintage; Type 2 is distinguished by a raised mound on the reverse. It can bring $200 to $300 in Fine condition, with uncirculated examples exceeding $20,000.
1885 Liberty Head V Nickel: Its low mintage numbers make it rare, with prices ranging from $300 to $500 in lower grades to over $20,000 in uncirculated condition.
1912-S Liberty Head V Nickel: The only S-mint mark in the series, valued at $100 to $200 in Good condition and over $10,000 in uncirculated condition.
1939-D Jefferson Nickel (Reverse of 1940): Its distinct reverse design makes it rare, with circulated conditions fetching $10 to $20, and MS65 and higher reaching over $100, potentially into the thousands.
1950-D Jefferson Nickel: Known as the key date for its low mintage, with lower uncirculated grades valued at $10 to $20, and MS65 and higher at $100 to $200.
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11 Most Valuable Quarters
1796 Draped Bust Quarter: As the first quarter issued by the U.S. Mint, its small mintage makes it highly valuable, with prices often exceeding $10,000 in even the lower grades, and can go up to $100,000 or more for higher grades.
1804 Draped Bust Quarter: Known for its extremely low mintage, this quarter is a prized rarity with prices starting around $20,000 for lower conditions and can reach several hundred thousand dollars in finer grades.
1823/2 Overdate Quarter (Capped Bust Quarter): This overdate error increases its rarity, with values ranging from $2,000 in fine condition to over $10,000 for very fine and higher conditions.
1838 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter: With very few specimens known, especially in proof condition, prices can start at $20,000 and exceed $100,000 for well-preserved examples.
1850 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter: Its extreme rarity in proof condition means prices can be quite high, often starting at $30,000 and reaching upwards of $100,000 for the finest known specimens.
1870-CC Liberty Seated Quarter: The Carson City Mint’s first quarter production is rare, with prices ranging from $10,000 for lower grades to over $150,000 for high-grade examples.
1896-S Barber Quarter: As one of the “Big Three” in the Barber series, it commands prices from $3,000 in good condition to over $100,000 in uncirculated (MS) condition.
1901-S Barber Quarter: The key date of the Barber series is extremely sought after, with values starting around $5,000 for good condition and can exceed $100,000 for MS conditions.
1913-S Barber Quarter: Another of the “Big Three,” valued for its scarcity, with prices ranging from $1,000 in good condition to over $40,000 in uncirculated condition.
1916 Standing Liberty Quarter: This first-year issue’s short production run makes it a favorite, with prices around $3,000 for fine condition and significantly higher for uncirculated grades.
1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters: Both are key dates with low mintages in the Washington quarter series, commanding prices of $100 to $200 in circulated grades and can reach over $10,000 in uncirculated condition.
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11 Most Valuable Half Dollars
1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar: The first half dollar issued by the U.S. Mint. Extremely rare, especially in higher grades, with prices starting around $50,000 for lower grades and can exceed $500,000 for high-quality examples.
1796-1797 Draped Bust Half Dollar: Known for its small mintage and the introduction of the Draped Bust design. Prices range from $10,000 in fine condition to over $1 million for specimens in uncirculated condition.
1801-1807 Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dollar: These early half dollars are rare and sought after, with values ranging from $1,000 for lower grades to $20,000 or more for higher grades.
1815 Capped Bust Half Dollar: Extremely rare due to its limited mintage following the War of 1812. Prices start at around $5,000 for good condition and can reach over $100,000 for uncirculated examples.
1836 Reeded Edge Half Dollar: Marking a transition in minting technology, these are rare, especially in higher conditions. Prices can range from $1,000 in fine condition to over $30,000 in uncirculated condition.
1838-O Capped Bust Half Dollar: One of the rarest half dollars, minted in New Orleans. Lower grade examples start around $10,000, with uncirculated grades potentially reaching hundreds of thousands.
1878-S Seated Liberty Half Dollar: A rare issue with very low mintage, highly prized by collectors. Prices start at several thousand dollars in fine condition, escalating significantly for uncirculated grades.
1892-O Micro O Barber Half Dollar: A mintmark variety that is exceptionally rare and valuable. Prices range from $1,000 for very good condition to over $10,000 for uncirculated grades.
1916 Standing Liberty Half Dollar: Known for its short production and being the first year of issue. Fine condition examples can start around $3,000, with uncirculated examples reaching over $30,000.
1921-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar: The only Walking Liberty half dollar minted in Denver for that year, known for its low mintage. Prices range from $300 in good condition to over $10,000 in uncirculated condition.
1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar: A key date with very low mintage, making it highly desirable. Prices start at $100 in good condition, escalating to over $5,000 for examples in uncirculated condition.
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11 Most Valuable Silver Dollars
1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar: Known as the first silver dollar minted by the U.S., extremely rare with prices starting around $100,000 in lower grades, potentially reaching over $10 million for the finest known specimens.
1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar (“The King of American Coins”): Extremely rare, especially since none were actually minted in 1804. Prices range from $2 million to over $4 million depending on grade and pedigree.
1889-CC Morgan Silver Dollar: From the Carson City mint, known for its low mintage and high demand. Prices range from $600 in lower grades to over $280,000 in uncirculated condition.
1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar: The key date of the Morgan series with the lowest mintage, fetching $3,000 in lower grades to over $700,000 for high-grade examples.
1895 “Proof Only” Morgan Silver Dollar: Known for its proof-only mintage, with no business strikes known, making it highly sought after. Prices start around $50,000 and can exceed $100,000 for superior examples.
1870-S Seated Liberty Silver Dollar: A rare issue from the San Francisco Mint with very few specimens known. When available, they can fetch over $1 million depending on condition.
1885 Trade Dollar: Extremely rare, especially since the majority were melted down, with less than 10 known to exist. Prices can exceed $3.5 million at auction for the finest known examples.
1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar: Highly sought after for its Carson City mint mark and relatively low mintage. Prices range from $200 in lower grades to over $20,000 in mint condition.
1879-CC Morgan Silver Dollar (Capped Die Variety): Known for the capped die error, making it particularly rare. Prices start at $1,000 in lower grades, reaching over $40,000 in uncirculated condition.
1901 Morgan Silver Dollar: Notable for its rarity in high grades due to the soft striking of this year. Prices range from $200 in lower grades to over $300,000 for examples in pristine condition.
1928 Peace Silver Dollar: The key date of the Peace dollar series and the last silver dollar minted for circulation. Prices start at $300 in lower grades and can exceed $20,000 in uncirculated condition.
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11 Most Valuable Dimes
1796 Draped Bust Dime: The first dime minted by the U.S. Mint, highly valued for its age and rarity. Prices start around $10,000 for lower grades, reaching up to $200,000 or more for high grades.
1871-CC Seated Liberty Dime: Minted in Carson City, this dime is scarce and sought after. Prices range from $1,000 in low condition to over $100,000 in high grades.
1872-CC Seated Liberty Dime: Another rare Carson City mint issue, with values starting at $700 for lower conditions, going up to $50,000 or more for finer examples.
1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime with Arrows: Known for its rarity, especially in higher grades. Prices can range from $500 in lower grades to $30,000 or more in uncirculated condition.
1894-S Barber Dime: One of the most famous rarities in American numismatics, with only 24 minted. Prices for the few known to exist start in the millions, depending on the grade.
1916-D Mercury Dime: The key date for Mercury dimes due to its low mintage. Prices start around $800 for very low grades, with uncirculated examples fetching $20,000 or more.
1942/1 Mercury Dime: A popular overdate error coin. In lower grades, prices start around $500, with high-grade examples reaching $10,000 or more.
1942/1-D Mercury Dime: The Denver mint version of the overdate error, also highly prized. Prices are similar to the Philadelphia version, starting around $500 for lower grades and up to $10,000 or more for high grades.
1921 Mercury Dime: A low-mintage year making it a semi-key date. Prices start at $50 in low grades, with uncirculated examples fetching upwards of $1,000.
1921-D Mercury Dime: The Denver counterpart to the 1921 Mercury, also with low mintage. Prices range from $70 in lower grades to over $2,000 in uncirculated condition.
1797 Draped Bust Dime: Known for its small size and rarity, with prices starting at $1,000 for lower grades and reaching $100,000 or more for high-quality examples.
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11 Most Valuable Pennies
1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent: A few were mistakenly struck in bronze instead of steel. Prices start around $100,000 for lower grades, with one selling for over $1 million in high grade.
1944 Steel Lincoln Cent: These were erroneously struck on leftover steel planchets from 1943. Values range from $75,000 for lower grades to over $400,000 for well-preserved examples.
1958 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent: Extremely rare with very few known examples. Prices can exceed $200,000 for high-grade specimens.
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent: Highly sought after due to its low mintage and the presence of the designer’s initials, V.D.B. Prices start around $750 for lower grades and can exceed $2,000 for uncirculated examples.
1914-D Lincoln Cent: One of the key dates in the Lincoln cent series. Prices range from $150 in lower grades to over $5,000 in uncirculated condition.
1922 No D Lincoln Cent: The only Lincoln cent without a mint mark due to a die error. Prices start at $500 for lower grades and reach up to $20,000 or more for high grades.
1931-S Lincoln Cent: Known for its low mintage, making it a key date. Prices range from $75 in lower grades to over $1,000 in uncirculated condition.
1909-S Lincoln Cent: The first year of issue and sought after due to its lower mintage and San Francisco mint mark. Prices start around $100 for lower grades and can exceed $1,000 for uncirculated examples.
1877 Indian Head Cent: The key date for Indian Head cents due to its low mintage. Prices range from $500 in low grades to over $3,000 in higher grades.
1864 L Indian Head Cent (with L): Features the designer’s initial, L, on the ribbon. Prices start around $100 for lower grades, reaching up to $5,000 or more for uncirculated examples.
1909-S Indian Head Cent: Another rare San Francisco mint issue with low mintage. Prices start at $400 for lower grades, with uncirculated examples fetching upwards of $2,000.
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11 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollars
1893-S: The key rarity of the series, with only an estimated 100,000 minted. In lower grades, prices start around $3,000, escalating to over $700,000 for specimens in uncirculated condition.
1901: Known for its rarity in high grades due to the soft striking of this year. Prices range from $200 in lower grades to over $300,000 for examples in pristine condition.
1889-CC: Hailing from the Carson City mint, this coin is rare and highly sought after. Prices range from $600 in lower grades to over $280,000 in uncirculated condition.
1884-S: While not rare in circulated grades, uncirculated examples are exceedingly rare. Prices start around $100 for lower conditions, soaring to $100,000 or more for high-grade uncirculated coins.
1893-CC: Another Carson City mint coin, valued for its rarity, especially in higher grades. Prices range from $200 for lower grades to over $50,000 for uncirculated examples.
1895: Known as the “King of the Morgan Dollars” for its proof-only issue with no business strikes confirmed to exist, making any 1895 Morgan extremely rare. Proof specimens can fetch $50,000 to $70,000 or more.
1881-CC: Part of the GSA (Government Services Administration) hoard, known for better preservation. Prices start around $500 for lower grades, with uncirculated examples reaching $2,000 or more.
1892-S: Its rarity in high grade makes it highly coveted. Prices range from $100 in lower grades to over $100,000 for uncirculated conditions.
1886-O: Although it had a high mintage, it’s extremely rare in uncirculated condition. Prices start at $100 for lower grades, reaching up to $50,000 for uncirculated examples.
1895-S: This San Francisco minted coin is rare across all grades. Prices begin at $150 for lower conditions, with uncirculated coins fetching upwards of $20,000.
1893-O: Rare in all grades but particularly in uncirculated condition. Prices start at $200 for very fine condition, with uncirculated examples commanding $100,000 or more.
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11 Most Valuable Peace Dollars
1928: The key date of the series due to its low mintage, particularly valuable in high grades. Prices start around $200 in lower grades, reaching over $20,000 for uncirculated examples.
1934-S: One of the series’ scarcest issues in high grade, sought after by collectors. Prices range from $100 in lower grades to over $30,000 for high-grade uncirculated coins.
1921 High Relief: The first year of issue and struck in high relief, making it distinctive. Prices start at $100 for lower grades, with uncirculated examples fetching upwards of $5,000.
1922 High Relief: Extremely rare in high relief proof-like condition, with only a few known examples. Prices can exceed $100,000 for those few specimens.
1927-S: Scarce in high grades, making it highly prized among collectors. Prices range from $50 in lower grades to over $10,000 for uncirculated conditions.
1924-S: While not rare in circulated conditions, it becomes quite scarce in higher grades. Prices start at $30 for lower grades, with uncirculated coins reaching up to $5,000 or more.
1935-S: The last year of the Peace Dollar and scarce in high grades. Prices range from $30 in lower grades to over $3,000 for well-preserved uncirculated coins.
1925-S: Its high mintage belies its scarcity in higher grades. Prices start at $30 for lower conditions, climbing to $5,000 or more for uncirculated examples.
1926-S: Not particularly rare, but high-grade examples are valued. Prices start around $30 for lower grades, with uncirculated conditions fetching upwards of $3,000.
1927-D: Like many Denver mint issues, it is harder to find in high grades. Prices range from $30 in lower grades to over $5,000 for uncirculated coins.
1934-D: Known for its double die obverse and small D mintmark varieties, adding to its collectibility. Prices start at $20 for lower grades, with high-grade uncirculated examples reaching over $1,000.
11 Most Valuable Barber Half Dollars
1892-O Micro O: This variety features a smaller-than-normal “O” mintmark. In lower grades, prices start around $100, escalating to over $10,000 for higher grades.
1897-O: Known for its low mintage and scarcity in high grades, values range from $150 in lower conditions to over $20,000 for uncirculated examples.
1897-S: While more common in circulated grades, uncirculated examples are rare. Prices range from $100 for lower grades to over $15,000 for high-grade uncirculated coins.
1901-S: One of the key rarities of the series, with prices starting at $500 for lower grades and exceeding $100,000 for uncirculated examples.
1904-S: Scarce in all grades, particularly in uncirculated condition. Prices start around $200 for lower grades, with uncirculated examples fetching upwards of $25,000.
1913: A proof-only year with a very low mintage, making any example rare. Prices for proof conditions can range from $3,000 to over $10,000.
1914: Another proof-only issue with low mintage, valued similarly to the 1913 issues, with prices ranging from $3,000 to $10,000+ for proof examples.
1915: The final year of the series, also a proof-only issue, with similar pricing to the 1913 and 1914 issues.
1896-O: Rare in high grades, with prices starting around $150 for lower grades and reaching over $20,000 for uncirculated examples.
1896-S: Like the 1896-O, it is challenging to find in high grades. Prices range from $100 in lower conditions to over $15,000 for uncirculated coins.
1901-O: Not as rare as some others on this list but still commands high prices in uncirculated grades, ranging from $100 for lower grades to over $10,000 for uncirculated conditions.
11 Most Valuable Walking Liberty Half Dollars
1916-S: The first year of issue and highly sought after, especially in higher grades. Prices range from $100 in lower grades to over $15,000 for well-preserved examples.
1919-D: Known for its low mintage and scarcity in high grades. Prices start at $100 for lower conditions, escalating to $30,000 or more for uncirculated examples.
1919-S: Similar to the 1919-D, it is rare in higher grades. Values range from $100 in lower grades to around $20,000 for high-grade uncirculated coins.
1921-S: The lowest mintage in the series, making it extremely valuable, especially in fine condition or better. Prices start around $150 for lower grades and can exceed $50,000 for uncirculated grades.
1938-D: The last year of the series and a key date, with high demand in all grades. Prices range from $50 for lower grades to over $10,000 for examples in uncirculated condition.
1921-D: The only Denver mint issue in 1921, scarce in all grades. Prices range from $100 in lower conditions to over $20,000 for uncirculated coins.
1917-S Obverse Mintmark: Featuring the mint mark on the obverse, this variety is particularly rare in high grades. Prices start at $100 for lower grades, with uncirculated examples fetching upwards of $15,000.
1916-D: Despite a higher mintage than some other key dates, it is highly prized in high grades. Prices range from $200 for lower grades to over $10,000 for uncirculated coins.
1921: With its low production numbers, the Philadelphia issue of 1921 is rare in high grades. Prices start around $100 for lower grades, reaching up to $25,000 for uncirculated examples.
1917-D Reverse Mintmark: The reverse mintmark variant is scarce, especially in higher grades. Prices start at $100 for good condition, with uncirculated examples commanding over $10,000.
1919: While not as rare as its Denver and San Francisco counterparts, the 1919 Philadelphia issue is scarce in higher grades. Prices start at $50 for lower grades, with uncirculated examples reaching $5,000 or more.
And there we have it, a numismatic journey through the ages, exploring the “11 Most Valuable” coins across various denominations. Each coin, a piece of history, holds stories of economic shifts, historical milestones, and artistic endeavors.
They remind us that value isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about the stories, the rarity, and the beauty these coins represent. Whether you’re starting your collection, looking to invest, or simply appreciating the art and history, remember that the world of coins is as rich and diverse as the narratives they encapsulate.
We hope this exploration has ignited a spark of curiosity, appreciation, and perhaps the beginning of a new treasure hunt. Keep your eyes peeled, for the next valuable find might just be a coin toss away.
