4 Lesser-Known Coins Worth Thousands of Dollars

Coins become valuable for a variety of reasons, ranging from their historical value to the amount of metal they contain. However, in almost all cases, the most valuable coins are the rarest. Some rare coins have reached a certain level of fame because of their backstories.

One example of this is the 1943 copper Lincoln penny, which was accidentally minted during a World War II copper shortage and is worth $1 million today. But there are also less famous coins that can command a lot of money in the collector’s market.

There are many Lincoln pennies that you might not think twice about if you found them in your loose coins stash. Keep in mind that only coins in the best condition will sell for the highest prices.

1970-S Small Date Lincoln Penny Doubled Die Obverse

Double die mistakes occur when the metal on a coin is struck multiple times by the die or design stamp on the front (obverse), back, or both sides. Double die mistakes in Mint or Near-Mint condition usually sell for a very high price.

In the Small Date version of the 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Penny, the word “LIBERTY” is not as clear or prominent as other versions, according to the Spruce Crafts website. It has an estimated value of $3,500.

1999 Wide ‘AM’ Reverse Lincoln Penny

This variety of Lincoln cent was made between 1998-2000, with the 1999 being the rarest. As Spruce Crafts noted, the U.S. Mint mistakenly used proof dies to make coins intended for circulation.

In the Wide version, the “AM” in America is clearly distinct, while normal specimens have the letters “AM” very close to each other. A version of the coin sold for $3,960 at auction in November 2020, according to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) website.

1972 Lincoln Penny Doubled Die Obverse

Here’s another doubled-die obverse Lincoln cent from the early 1970s that has gained a lot of interest from collectors. According to a blog by Liberation of Sound, the phrases “Liberty” and “In God We Trust” on the front of the coin are “notable examples” of the doubling effect.

This penny’s high value is mainly because there aren’t a lot of specimens with this particular doubling. According to PCGS, the auction record for this coin was set in 2019 and totaled $14,400.

1969-S Lincoln Penny With Doubled Die Obverse

The Spruce Crafts calls this particular coin “extremely rare.” The U.S. Secret Service confiscated early specimens until the Mint “admitted they were genuine.”

According to PCGS, one sold for $66,000 at auction in January 2024. Be careful, though: there are a lot of fake products out there.

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