9 Misprinted Coins That Are Worth a Small Fortune

Coin collecting is one of those hobbies that can also be an investment, but you don't have to be an avid collector to make money from valuable pieces. Some coins with famous misprints or minting errors are common enough that you may very well have one in an old change jar right now.

If you have been trying to find an online side hustle, selling to coin collectors could be the answer. But go in knowing that most coins currently in circulation are worth their face value and nothing else.

The nine coins listed below are a different story. Each has a unique error that makes it seriously valuable.

Editor's note: All auction record data is from the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), unless otherwise stated.

2000-P Washington quarter/Sacagawea dollar mule

Auction record: $155,250

Though it is exceedingly rare to find one of these "mule" coins, several have surfaced over the past two decades. A mule occurs when two dies are accidentally paired together. In this case, it's a 2000-P Washington quarter that was mistakenly struck with the reverse design of a Sacagawea dollar.

The front of the coin looks like a modern quarter with the label "quarter dollar" and all, and the back has a "one dollar" label. The few examples that have turned up have all sold for tens of thousands of dollars, with the most recent record surpassing $150,000.

1969-S Lincoln penny double die obverse

Auction record: $126,500

Pennies minted in San Francisco in 1969 with a double die error are some of the most valuable coins you can still find in circulation, though they are extremely scarce. PCGS reports that only about 100 exist, and even fewer have been authenticated by professional grading companies.

The coin was once at the center of a counterfeiting scandal, adding to its legendary status.

When authentic coins are found in the wild, which has been known to happen despite their rarity, the doubling on the front is typically obvious in the words "Liberty" and "In God We Trust."

1955 Lincoln penny double die obverse

Auction record: $62,100

Thousands of Lincoln pennies with doubling mistakes were accidentally released into circulation in 1955, making it one of the rare, valuable coins that you might stumble upon at random.

The doubling is so obvious that it can pretty much be seen on every element on the coin's front, particularly the year and the words "Liberty" and "In God We Trust."

Even in lower grades, the coins command thousands on the resale market. One with an MS66 grade sold for more than $60,000.

1990 'no S' Lincoln cent (proof)

Auction record: $9,988

In 1990, the San Francisco Mint mistakenly released some Lincoln pennies that were missing their "S" mint mark on the obverse. To this day, coin experts estimate that only about 200 of the coins exist.

Proof coins are struck in a different way that often results in a shinier appearance and sharper detail than standard coins. Initially, collectors suspected that thousands of "no S" 1990 pennies would eventually surface, but they have remained rare for decades.

Even in lower grades, these coins are worth thousands. The auction record sits at almost $10,000.

1970 'no S' Roosevelt dime (proof)

Auction record: $2,760

There are three years when Roosevelt proof dimes were mistakenly struck in San Francisco without "S" mint marks. Dimes from that first mishap year, 1968, are the scarcest, according to PCGS.

It is more common to find one of these error coins from 1970 and 1983, and both have been known to sell for serious cash. If you suspect you have one of these rarities, look for the shiny, sharp appearance of a proof coin and the noticeable lack of an identifying S on the obverse.

Keep in mind, though, that only about 500 of these coins are known to exist.

2004-D 'extra leaf' Wisconsin quarter

Auction record: $2,530

Most quarters produced for the 50 State Quarters Program aren't worth more than 25 cents. Wisconsin state quarters with an error known as "extra leaf" are an exception.

There are two versions of the extra leaf quarters known as "high" or "low," based on where an extra corn husk appears on the coin's reverse.

The "extra leaf high" coins are rarer and tend to be worth more.

1956 Franklin half dollar struck on quarter planchet

Auction record: $1,955

The 1956 Franklin half dollar was struck in low quantities to begin with, and all were made at the Philadelphia Mint. Low production levels mean a minting error, where half dollars were mistakenly struck on a planchet for quarters, is a rare find, according to Heritage Auctions.

The mistake is obvious if you stumble upon one of these coins. The top of Franklin's head is cut off on the coin's obverse, and the Liberty Bell and words on the reverse appear stretched and warped.

1965 Kennedy half dollar struck on quarter planchet

Auction record: $1,560

Kennedy half dollars produced between 1965 and 1970 hold some value because of their composition, as they were made of 40% silver back then. However, it's also possible to stumble upon one of these 50-cent pieces that was mistakenly struck on a quarter planchet.

Heritage Auctions records show one of these warped-looking coins sold for more than $1,500 in 2018.

The mistake is quite obvious to the naked eye, as both Kennedy's head and the year don't quite fit on the coin's obverse.

1943-P Jefferson nickel double die obverse

Auction record: $1,064

There aren't many known double die mistakes on Jefferson nickels, and the 1943 Philadelphia-minted coin is the only one with doubling on the obverse, according to PCGS.

When graded MS65 and under, records show the coins tend to sell for a few hundred dollars. In higher grades, they have been known to sell for more than $1,000.

With some close inspection, the doubling can typically be seen on Jefferson's eye as well as the letters and the year on the coin's front.

Bottom line

While selling coins can be a legit way to earn extra money, it's important to realize that most coins are only worth their face value.

Even rarities like the minting mistakes listed here vary a great deal when it comes to actual value. Getting coins professionally graded can increase your chances of attracting customers and is often worth it if you think you have a seriously valuable gem on your hands, like the 1955 or 1969 double die pennies.

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