10 U.S. Coins That Could Be Worth a Fortune Today

The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny – Up to $1,000,000 and 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle – Record Price: $18.9 Million

During World War II, copper was needed for munitions, so the U.S. Mint started making pennies from steel. However, a few bronze planchets (used for earlier coins) mistakenly ended up in the minting machines, creating some very rare 1943 bronze Lincoln pennies.

Why it’s valuable:

• Only about 20-25 confirmed exist.

• Their composition mistake makes them highly collectible.

Value: Even in worn condition, one can fetch $100,000+. In mint (uncirculated) condition, auction prices have exceeded $1 million.

Senior tip: If you or a family member held coins from the early 1940s, check closely — a small magnet will reveal if it’s steel (sticks = common) or bronze (doesn’t stick = valuable).

This $20 gold coin is one of the most famous and controversial American coins. Although 445,000 were initially struck, almost all were melted down after President Roosevelt removed the U.S. from the gold standard.

Why limited:

The 1933 version was never officially released.

Only a few escaped destruction — and were later considered illegal to own until court rulings permitted private ownership.

Record breaker: In 2021, one specimen sold for $18.9 million at auction, the highest price ever paid for a coin.

Only one example is legal for private ownership, so finding one lying around is unlikely — but not impossible in old collections.

1913 Liberty Head Nickel – $3 Million and Up and 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar – First Official U.S. Dollar

Only five of these ultra-rare coins are known to exist, and their mysterious origin adds to their allure. These 1913 Liberty Head nickels were not officially authorized by the U.S. Mint, but were allegedly struck by a rogue employee.

Why it’s on the list:

• Officially, no Liberty Head nickels were made in 1913.

• Their origin remains a numismatic mystery.

Recent sale: In 2018, one sold for $4.5 million.

Collectors may find this coin only through inheritance or hidden private collections. Seniors managing estate clean-outs should double-check any early 1900s nickels — you could be holding a rarity.

This historic coin marked the beginning of the U.S. monetary system and features a young Lady Liberty with flowing hair.

Why it stands out:

• First silver dollar issued by the U.S. Mint.

• High value due to historical significance, age, and scarcity.

Auction price: In 2013, an example sold for over $10 million.

Collectors or families who’ve inherited colonial-era collections may come across these hidden gems.

1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar – $1.5 Million+ and 2004 Wisconsin Quarter (Extra Leaf Error) – Worth $50 to $1,500+

Only 9 known examples of this coin exist, originally struck at the San Francisco Mint. Notably, no official record of its minting survives, and yet these coins still surfaced — adding mystery and value.

Features:

• Easily recognized by the “S” mint mark on the back.

• Part of the “Seated Liberty” design featuring Lady Liberty seated with a shield.

Estimated value: Over $1 million at auction.

Tip: If you or a relative lived in California during the late 1800s or inherited coins from there, examine older silver dollars for the mint mark.

At first glance, this quarter seems ordinary. But a unique error in the corn husk design — either an "extra high leaf" or "extra low leaf" — created error varieties worth hundreds or even thousands.

Why it's special:

• Modern coin, still found in circulation.

• Two versions of the error exist.

Value range: From $50 in lower condition to over $1,500 for mint-state versions.

Senior-friendly search: If you regularly use cash or save state quarters, inspect any 2004 Wisconsin coin closely or ask grandkids to help spot the leaf variation.

1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent – Worth $1,500 to $15,000+ and 1942/1 Mercury Dime Overdate – $500 to $10,000+

Known for its highly visible doubling of letters on the front of the coin (especially noticeable in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”), this coin is a favorite of error variety collectors.

What makes it valuable:

• Classic example of a die error.

• Relatively more common than others on this list, making it findable in circulation or inherited rolls.

Price: Ranges wildly by condition — from $1,500 for circulated versions to over $15,000 for uncirculated.

Senior insight: Many people rolled up pennies in the '50s expecting modest increases in copper value. These rolls may hide valuable coins like the 1955 doubled die.

During production, a small number of dimes were struck using a 1941 die that was accidentally repunched to 1942, resulting in a visible overlap in the date.

Key identifiers:

• Check the last two digits under magnification.

• Popular with both dime and error collectors.

Value depends on grade — low-grade coins start at $500, higher grades can reach $10,000+.

Pro tip: Invest in a jeweler’s loupe or pocket magnifier ($15–$30) for authenticating small details.

Final Advice: What to Do If You Think You Found One

• Don’t clean or alter the coin — this can drastically drop its value.

• Get the coin appraised by a certified numismatist.

• Use grading services like PCGS or NGC for full authentication (costs start around $30 per submission).

• Secure rare coins in plastic holders or certified slabs.

• When selling, consider auction houses, reputable coin dealers, or online marketplaces like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply curious about what’s jingling in your pocket, you may be closer to a treasure than you think. For seniors, carefully reviewing old change jars, coin collections, or inherited boxes can be more than nostalgic — it can be surprisingly lucrative.