Everyday coin flaws or markings that could make you thousands of dollars

You might want to take a second look at that pile of loose change rattling around in your pockets. It turns out, some of the most seemingly mundane coins could be worth a small fortune, often because they’ve got the right flaws.

Would you believe that coin collectors are willing to pay up to $25,000 for coins minted with errors like missing letters, double printing, or even being struck off-center? It’s time to pay closer attention to those little metal objects...

What quirks make coins valuable?

The errors on coins can come in various forms, as detailed by specialist website The Spruce Crafts, and this is what collectors are eagerly seeking out. One of the most famous types is the doubled die, where a coin’s design is struck twice by mistake, resulting in a visible duplication of words or features. Coins with this type of error, such as the 1969 Abraham Lincoln penny, have fetched tens of thousands of dollars, with one woman from Texas cashing in on a $24,000 find in her own home.

Then there’s the case of missing mint markings. These small letters, like a “P” for Philadelphia or “D” for Denver, indicate where the coin was made. When these marks are missing, like on the 1982 Theodore Roosevelt dime, collectors see a rare opportunity – and are willing to pay up to $50 for the chance to own one. Still a decent return.

Planchet errors can also make a big difference. The planchet is the blank metal disk that gets stamped with a coin’s design. If a coin is minted on an incorrect or even unmarked planchet, like a 2007 dollar coin missing the edge inscription, values can soar to $3,000. Who knew a coin with missing letters could be worth so much?

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What are the most valuable coins to look for?

While some coins are just pennies in disguise, others can be true treasures. Take, for instance, the 2004 Wisconsin State quarter with a doubled die leaf, potentially worth hundreds of dollars. Or the 1999 Abraham Lincoln penny with a curious gap between the letters “A” and “M” in “America”. That could be worth up to $600. Then there’s the 1944 Steel Wheat penny, commanding a staggering $408,000 in value they say.

So, before you toss those coins into a vending machine or ignore that penny in the parking lot, take a closer look. These errors could make you slightly, or considerably, richer than you’d expect. And if you don’t find a $25,000 gem? Well, there’s always the satisfaction of knowing you’re just a bit more coin-savvy.