News & Trending Collectibles

Here Are 10 Coins You Should Never Spend - They Could Pay for Your Retirement

You may have a penny worth $20k or more in that old change jar.

By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore , Edited by Amanda Machado

Updated April 28, 2026

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Coins are considered valuable for a range of reasons, such as age, rarity, or minting errors. With news that the U.S. will no longer produce pennies as of November 2025, you may be wondering if coins you have sitting around in an old change jar will increase in value.

For now, most pennies and other circulating coins are not worth much more than face value. There are some, however, that could be worth thousands and may even help get you on track for retirement.

Check your change jars for these 10 coins that have sold for an actual fortune.

Editor's note: All sale records are from the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) unless otherwise stated.

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1932-D Washington quarter

Auction record: $143,750

The 1932-D quarter is a collectible for several reasons: it was the debut year for the familiar George Washington portrait on the coin's obverse, and, because it was produced during the Great Depression, it has low mintage compared to other years.

It's extremely rare to find these coins in good condition, with the record sale for an MS66 graded coin exceeding $143k.

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1969-S double die Lincoln penny

Auction record: $126,500

The double die minting error on 1969-S pennies is obvious in the letters and numbers on the coin's obverse, but there is no doubling in the S mint mark (due to mintmarks being punched separately).

These coins are extremely rare, and only a few dozen examples have ever been found, which explains payouts exceeding $50k even for coins graded MS63. The auction record was for a coin graded MS64.

2000-P 'Cheerios' Sacagawea dollar

Auction record: $33,600

In 1999, more than 5,000 Sacagawea dollars were minted and placed into random boxes of Cheerios through a partnership/promotion with General Mills. A few hundred of those feature a unique detail in the tail feathers of an eagle on the coin's reverse, slight markings that make these coins extremely valuable.

Coins graded MS66 and up are worth thousands and could add a nice chunk of change to your retirement savings. The $33k auction record is for an MS69 graded coin.

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1990 no S Lincoln penny proof

Auction record: $20,700

Since proof coins are struck for collectors, it's more likely that you'd find one of these high-value pennies if you've inherited or otherwise come across a fairly stacked coin collection.

Only about 200 of these coins, which are missing the S mint mark on the obverse, are known to exist, and they sell for thousands even in lower grades. The auction record exceeds $20k for a coin graded PR69.

1996 $1 Silver Eagle

Auction record: $21,850

Silver coins could be worth more than face value because of their "melt value," based on the going rate of silver, and other unique features. Silver Eagles minted in 1996 are valuable because these $1 coins have the lowest mintage in the series, with just over 3.6 million coins struck.

To hold real value, these eagles need to be near perfect. The $21k auction record was for an MS70 coin.

1972 double die Lincoln penny

Auction record: $14,400

A 1972 penny with a "double die" mint error could be worth nearly $15k if kept in good condition. The doubling on these coins can easily be seen on the words "Liberty" and "In God We Trust" and the date on the obverse.

PCGS reports sales exceeding $1,000 for coins graded MS66 and far exceeding that in higher grades.

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1992-D close AM Lincoln penny

Auction record: $14,100

Billions of pennies were produced in 1992, but only about a dozen are known to feature a "close AM" feature. The A and M in "America" on the coin's reverse appear extremely close together, almost like they are touching, because they were accidentally struck with the wrong reverse design.

Coins graded MS64 have sold for several thousand dollars, and the auction record was for an MS65 piece.

1964 Kennedy 50-cent coin

Auction record: $57,600

In the year following John F. Kennedy's assassination, the president's portrait was placed on the silver half dollar. In 1964, the coins were made of 90% silver, but that was reduced to 40% for subsequent years.

Even though the 90% silver variety had a short run, the half dollars will likely only add real value to your nest egg when graded MS67 and up. The auction record was for an MS68 coin.

2009 'high relief' Double Eagle $20 coins

Auction record: $14,666

The Double Eagle gold coins released in 2009 were a reprise of a rare Saint-Garden pattern from 1907. The 2009 "high relief" versions are extremely well struck with a satiny finish and also happen to be 31.1 grams of 99.99% gold.

These coins are typically kept in good condition, and they tend to sell for a few thousand dollars on the resale market. It's worth it to look into melt value before listing these pieces on a site like eBay.

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1955 double die Lincoln penny

Auction record: $24,000

A double die error on a 1955 penny could be your key to setting up a nice emergency fund for retirement. The doubling can easily be seen in every letter and number on the coin's obverse.

PCGS reports that many of the coins circulated for years before being discovered, so you may very well have one in that old change drawer. Even in grades as low as MS55, they have sold for more than $2,000.

Bottom line

Selling valuable coins could be an excellent way to grow your wealth, whether you are looking to create a larger emergency fund or hoping to free up some cash to invest before retirement.

If you think you have a valuable coin, consider getting it professionally graded by a service like PCGS before listing so you can make the most of your collection.

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