News & Trending Collectibles

10 Lesser-Know Coins Now Worth a Small Fortune

For many, coin collecting is both a fun and lucrative hobby.

By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore , Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated April 16, 2026

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There are some coins famous in the collecting community due to features like pronounced double dies or extremely low mintage. The 1969-S double die obverse penny, for example, is famed because only a few dozen are known to exist, and they've sold for tens of thousands of dollars.

Less famous coins, including some you may have buried in an old change jar, could be quite valuable as well. One big sale could even help supplement your income if you're looking for simple ways to bring in extra cash.

Check your home for these 10 valuable, albeit lesser-known, coins worth small fortunes today.

Editor's note: Estimated market values were sourced from eBay unless otherwise noted, and coin information was sourced from the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).

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1982 missing mintmark Roosevelt dime

Estimated market value: $1,055

In 1982, a few thousand Roosevelt dimes left the Philadelphia Mint without the "P" mint mark. There are two varieties of the coin, and the one with a visibly sharper strike, known as strong, is more valuable.

Strong versions of the dime have been known to sell for thousands, and one graded MS66 is currently attracting much attention on eBay with an asking price over $1,000.

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1970-D Kennedy half dollar

Estimated market value: $190

1970 is considered a key date for 50-cent pieces featuring Kennedy's portrait due to their composition. According to the PCGS, 1970 was the last year that the business-strike half dollars were made with 40% silver and 60% copper. These coins were only sold in Mint Sets.

While the auction record is over $7,000, the going rate on the resale market today seems to be a few hundred dollars for coins in good condition.

2005-D speared bison Jefferson nickel

Estimated market value: $1,000

In 2005, the U.S. Mint re-released a version of the Jefferson nickel that featured a bison on the reverse. A few thousand of those coins had a die gouge that made it appear as if a spear was running through the bison's back.

It's extremely rare to find these coins in good condition, even MS65, so higher grades could sell for a premium. The auction record for an MS66 coin is well over $2,500. One in a lower quality condition is currently selling on eBay for $1,000.

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2007 missing edge Washington $1 coin

Estimated market value: $160

Thousands of dollar coins featuring George Washington were accidentally released with a minting error that left off the year and the "In God We Trust" inscription in 2007.

PCGS puts the auction record for a highly graded version (MS67) of the coin at just over $1,000. Coins with lower grades typically sell for between $50 and $100 today.

1995 double die obverse Lincoln penny

Estimated market value: $175

A 1995 penny with a double die, which could be seen with the naked eye on the coin's obverse, is valuable because the Philadelphia and Denver Mints changed their techniques in the '90s, eliminating the possibility of major double die minting errors of that traditional type.

Though thousands of these pennies are known to exist, high-quality coins could still command hundreds on the resale market. The double die could be seen prominently in the word "Liberty," according to PCGS.

1999-S close AM Lincoln penny

Estimated market value: $366

Some 1999-S proof Lincoln cents were struck using a reverse die intended for circulation coins. As a result, these proof coins show the "Close AM" design, where the A and M in "AMERICA" nearly touch, rather than the wider spacing normally seen on proof cents from this period.

Because this die mix-up is unusual for proof coins, well-preserved examples can sell for several hundred dollars, with top-graded specimens bringing even more.

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1996 $1 Silver Eagle

Estimated market value: $230

The 1996 Silver Eagle dollar coins are considered valuable because the year had the lowest regular issue mintage for the coins. While it's considered a key date for collectors, the real value lies in the grade.

Coins with grades less than MS66 are not worth much more than $40, but MS67 and up have been known to sell for several hundred dollars. One MS68 version is going for $230 on eBay.

1962-D Washington quarter

Estimated market value: $195

While quarters were produced in record numbers in Denver in 1962, high-grade coins from that year, when quarters were still made of mostly silver, are extremely rare. Due to that scarcity, quarters graded MS66 or MS67 often command at least a few hundred dollars on the resale market. An MS66 version is going for $195 on eBay.

PCGS puts the auction record for an MS67 coin at more than $18,000.

1968-D Lincoln penny

Estimated market value: $725

The 1968-D Lincoln penny is valuable because it was the final cent struck from dies made from exhausted hubs. In 1969, the U.S. Mint refined its process so that future coins could be struck with finer details. Even well-struck versions of the 1968 pennies lack definition and show wear in details like the memorial on the coin's reverse.

Many collectors consider these coins a piece of history and are willing to pay accordingly. One version is attracting plenty of attention on eBay with an asking price of over $700.

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1991-D red Lincoln penny

Estimated market value: $766

While many of these coins are not worth much, extremely high-grade versions of the 1991 Denver penny have been known to sell for several hundred dollars, and beyond.

PCGS puts the auction record at more than $11,000 for a coin graded MS69, and the pennies need to have similarly high grades to garner a big payday. Even MS66 versions are worth little more than $10. An MS69 version is currently listed on eBay for over $750.

Bottom line

Coin collecting could be a fun and lucrative hobby, and even serves as a simple and enjoyable way to make extra money on the side.

If you're looking to cash in on some coins you already have, consider getting your inventory professionally graded by a service like PCGS so you don't miss out on what might be a surprisingly large payout.

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