10 Rare Coins That Are Worth Big Money
Updated on April 4, 2024 / 3 min read
Spare change is something that one might find anywhere in their home. Many may even collect it without a second glance and have it cashed in. But, if one looks closely, some of these coins might be part of a rare collection valued and wanted by collectors worldwide. Looking for a picture of those coins online can help determine if they’re worth any money. One can even earn a handsome sum by selling rare coins.
1343 Edward III Florin
One of three rare gold coins, two examples of the 1343 Edward III Florin are held in the British Museum in London. The third was discovered by a prospector using a metal detector and was sold at an auction for about $850,000. The coin is estimated to be worth over $6.8 million.
1796 Draped Bust Quarter
In 1796, the Draped Bust Quarter, designed by Robert Scott, was crucial to the U.S. economy as it served as a workhorse. The rare coin was also one of the first-ever circulating quarters, making it precious as the first-year coin of its denomination. Most examples of this 18th-century coin are valuable to collectors, with a Good-4 graded coin worth about $10,000.
1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
The collectible, sold at an auction for over $10 million, is one of the world’s most expensive coins. Experts believe it was the first silver dollar struck by the U.S. Mint. The front of the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar features a profile of Lady Liberty with flowing hair, while the reverse contains the symbol of an American Eagle. It is believed that only about 130 coins (from about 1,800) are in circulation today, which is the reason behind its market value.
Morgan Silver Dollars
Variations of the Morgan Silver Dollars, such as the 1893 S Morgan, 1889 CC Morgan, and the 1893 O Morgan, could be valued between $100,000 and $550,000. The price of the Morgan Silver Dollars is usually subjective to the coin being in mint condition. Even if one does not have these rare pieces, other versions can still trade for tens of thousands of dollars.
1787 Fugio cent
Also known as the Franklin cent, the 1787 Fugio cent resembles Franklin’s humor and shows a sun and sundial. It has the Latin motto “fugio,” suggesting that the sun and time are flying. But look towards the bottom, and one will see the message, “Mind your business.” One could buy or sell this coin for about $10,000 if it is in good condition, while its rare versions may command much higher value.
723 Umayyad Gold Dinar
This is one of the rarest and most valuable coins struck from gold mined at a location owned by the caliph. The 723 Umayyad Gold Dinar bears the marking “mine of the commander of the faithful.” It is also the first Islamic coin that mentions a location in Saudi Arabia. Only about a dozen of the 723 Umayyad Gold Dinars are in circulation, with some selling for as high as $6 million.
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
The collectible was the first U.S. coin to feature a real-life woman, honoring Susan B. Anthony and her role in the suffrage movement. One could sell the 1979 Susan B Anthony Dollar for over $6,000, especially if they have rare varieties like the 1979-P Wide Rim. Proof coins like the 1979-S and 1981-S Type 2 may range from about $1,999 or higher based on their condition and market demand.
1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
There were originally about 445,000 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle coins, but these were never officially circulated. Today, only about 13 are held by various individuals and are worth big money. The only coin privately held is by Stuart Weitzman, last valued at about $7,500,000.
1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny
Back then, the 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Pennies were usually made of copper and nickel, but the country needed those metals for other purposes. The mint mistakenly struck a batch with copper because blank coins were left in the press even after steel production began. About 20 examples of the coin remain today, with some selling for as high as $1.75 million.
1913 Liberty Head V Nickel
The U.S. Mint struck this coin from 1883 to 1913, but only about five coins were minted in the final year’s vintage. Versions of the 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel have hit the auction block, with some selling for over $4 million. Other variations of this rare coin have sold at auctions for more than $5 million.
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