1. 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
Although millions of these $20 gold coins were minted, most were melted down after the U.S. left the gold standard. Only a few escaped, and one sold for over $18 million in 2021, setting a world record.
2. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel
This coin is so rare that only five are known to exist. It was minted without official authorization, making it a legendary collector’s item. If you’re lucky enough to have one, you could be looking at millions of dollars.
3. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent
During World War II, most pennies were struck in steel to save copper for the war effort. A small number were mistakenly made in bronze, and these are worth a fortune today. One sold for over $1.7 million in 2010.
4. 1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar
Only 15 of these coins are known to exist, and they were struck at the San Francisco Mint. Many collectors dream of owning one due to its extreme rarity. If you find one, it could easily be worth over $1 million.
5. 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
Considered the first-ever silver dollar minted by the U.S., this coin is a piece of history. In 2013, a specimen sold for over $10 million. Its value comes from its historical significance and scarcity.
6. 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
This penny is famous for a minting error that created a doubled image of the date and inscriptions. These coins are in high demand among error collectors and can fetch thousands, even in lower grades.
7. 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar
Known as the “King of American Coins,” this dollar wasn’t minted in 1804 despite its date. Special editions were struck in later years for diplomatic gifts, making it one of the most valuable coins ever produced.
8. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
This coin is the holy grail for penny collectors. Only 484,000 were minted, and the combination of the “S” mint mark (for San Francisco) and designer Victor David Brenner’s initials, “VDB,” make it highly sought after. High-grade examples can sell for tens of thousands of dollars.
9. 1877 Indian Head Cent
With the lowest mintage of any Indian Head cent, this coin is a rarity. It’s a must-have for serious collectors, and high-grade examples can sell for thousands of dollars.
10. 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter
The first year of the Standing Liberty Quarter series saw a limited production, making this coin highly collectible. Mint-state examples are especially desirable and can command hefty prices.
11. 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle
This $2.50 gold coin was minted for just one year, which makes it incredibly rare. With fewer than 2,800 produced, finding one could mean a payday in the hundreds of thousands.
12. 1942/41 Mercury Dime
A minting error created this fascinating overdate, where the “1942” appears over the “1941.” Error coins like this are highly prized and can bring in thousands depending on condition.
13. 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel
This quirky coin features a buffalo with only three legs due to a die polishing error. Collectors love its unique look and scarcity, and high-grade examples can sell for tens of thousands.
14. 1796 Draped Bust Quarter
As the first-ever U.S. quarter, this coin holds immense historical value. Only about 6,000 were minted, and surviving examples are worth thousands—even in poor condition.
15. 1907 Ultra High Relief Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
This stunning gold coin was designed to be a masterpiece, but production challenges meant only a few were struck. Its beauty and rarity make it one of the most desirable coins in the world, with values often exceeding $3 million.
