Collector Cash Cow

It’s true that every coin tells a story, but some also reveal unexpected fortune. The turbulent sixties left behind a trail of experimental coins that some individuals will pay handsomely to own. 

1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

Imagine you're sorting through loose change when you spot what looks like blurry lettering on a penny. That "mistake" could be worth $35,000 or more. This error took place when the die used to strike pennies was accidentally doubled during production at the San Francisco Mint.

Pennies Worth Money - 1969 S Lincoln Penny - United States One Cent - Only 10 Doubled Die Exist by DC Coin World

1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent (Cont.) 

The telltale signs are unmistakable, doubling on the date "1969" and the word “LIBERTY”. As of July 2011, PCGS had certified only 31 examples across all color designations (Brown, Red-Brown, and Red). The Secret Service unknowingly ruined many genuine examples during the early 1970s.

Pennies Worth Money - 1969 S Lincoln Penny - United States One Cent - Only 10 Doubled Die Exist by DC Coin World

1964 Kennedy Half Dollar (Accented Hair)

In 1964, the US Mint was rushing to produce Kennedy half dollars following President Kennedy's assassination. During the hurried process, some coins were struck using a special proof die that created extraordinary detail in Kennedy's hair. These "Accented Hair" varieties have sold for astronomical amounts.

slgckgc, Wikimedia Commons

1964 Kennedy Half Dollar (Accented Hair) (Cont.)

Yes, some have even reached $156,000 at auction. The key identifier lies in Kennedy's hair detail. Look for sharp, well-defined strands that appear almost three-dimensional. This creation was the result of using high-quality proof dies for regular circulation strikes.

James St. John, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1963-D Washington Quarter (MS68)

Denver Mint quarters from 1963 might seem commonplace, but condition is everything in coin collecting. When graded at the pristine MS68 level by professional services, the quarters command up to $24,000. The "D" mint mark present on the item identifies its Denver origin.

1963 D Silver Washington Quarter by The Internet Sorcerer

1963-D Washington Quarter (MS68) (Cont.)

It's the coin's perfect preservation that gives it extraordinary value. Most circulated pieces show wear, scratches, and toning that diminish their worth. However, uncirculated examples that somehow avoided decades of handling retain their original mint luster and sharp details. 

1963 D Silver Washington Quarter by The Internet Sorcerer

1968 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime

Here's where another error became a financial treasure. San Francisco Mint workers forgot to add the "S" mint mark to some proof dimes before striking them in 1968. Such an oversight brought to life one of the rarest modern coins. Fewer than 20 examples are said to exist.

1968 D Roosevelt Dime by @lotterylife9914

1968 No-S Proof Roosevelt Dime (Cont.)

Auction records show prices ranging from $12,000 to over $48,000, depending on grade and eye appeal. As per sources, the highest recorded price is $40,250 for a PR67 example sold in 2008. Even lower-grade examples can fetch thousands of dollars.

1968 D Roosevelt Dime by @lotterylife9914

1965 Washington Quarter (Silver Error)

The year 1965 marked a pivotal moment in American coinage when Congress eliminated silver from quarters due to rising precious metal prices. During this time, some quarters were struck using leftover 1964 silver planchets. What we obtained were scarce error coins valued at approximately $12,000.

Nicholas Gemini, Wikimedia Commons

1965 Washington Quarter (Silver Error) (Cont.)

Interestingly, you can identify these treasures by weight. Silver quarters weigh 6.25 grams, compared to 5.67 grams for standard copper-nickel versions. During the 1965 coin shortage, folks were working overtime, and this rush led to the mixing of old silver blanks with new composition ones.

Paginazero, Wikimedia Commons

1960-D Small Date Lincoln Cent (No Mint Mark)

In 1960, two distinct date styles for Lincoln cents were crafted, and spotting the difference often requires magnification. The "Small Date" variety showcases more delicate and refined numerals compared to its "Large Date" counterpart. About 130,000 survive in all grades.

Small Date (1960 & 1970) Lincoln Cents - Variety To Look For by BigDCoins

1960-D Small Date Lincoln Cent (Cont.)

The release of both Small and Large Date varieties in 1960 generated significant public excitement. Reports from the time describe people paying high premiums for bags of Small Date cents, sometimes up to $2 per coin during the initial craze. 

Hunting Pennies - 1960 D Small Date Penny and MORE! by RobFindsTreasure

1963 Ben Franklin Half Dollar (Full Bell Lines)

Benjamin Franklin half dollars represent the end of an era, as 1963 was their final year before Kennedy half dollars took over. The Liberty Bell on the reverse side holds the key to this coin's value—collectors obsess over whether the horizontal lines across the bell are unbroken.

$85,000 For A 1963 US Ben Franklin Half Dollar - United States Coins by DC Coin World

1963 Ben Franklin Half Dollar (Full Bell Lines) (Cont.)

This earned the coins the coveted "Full Bell Lines" or "FBL" designation. Most Franklin half dollars show incomplete bell lines due to die wear during striking. However, pieces struck early in a die's life retain these crisp details, making them worth upwards of $5,000.

$85,000 For A 1963 US Ben Franklin Half Dollar - United States Coins by DC Coin World

1962-D Washington Quarter (High Grade)

A simple 1962-D Washington quarter, when preserved in exceptional condition, becomes a $18,400 masterpiece. The Professional Coin Grading Service documented this exact sale in 2012. High-grade 1962-D quarters are considered one of the scarcer silver Washington quarters from 1941 to 1964.

1962 Quarter Worth Money - How Much Is It Worth and Why? by Treasure Town

1962-D Washington Quarter (High Grade) (Cont.)

The Denver Mint produced millions of these, but finding one that escaped circulation entirely is like discovering a needle in a haystack. It is believed that coins graded MS66+ generally sell in the $80–$100 range, with MS67 and higher grades demanding premium rates.

1962 Quarter $4,000 - United States Proof Reverse US Coins - DC Minutes by DC Coin World

1969-D Kennedy Half Dollar

The late 1960s marked a transition period for Kennedy half dollars, as the Mint reduced silver content from 90% to 40% before eventually eliminating it entirely. 1969-D half dollars from Denver carry this 40% silver composition, giving them inherent precious metal value beyond their collector appeal. 

1969-D Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money - How Much Is It Worth and Why? by Treasure Town

1969-D Kennedy Half Dollar (Cont.)

Some specimens have a mirror-like finish. If you find one in actual Mint State condition, it can yield $112 or more, as most Kennedy half dollars from this era saw heavy circulation. The "D" mint mark, positioned below the eagle's tail, confirms a Denver origin.

1969-D Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money - How Much Is It Worth and Why? by Treasure Town

1964 Silver Roosevelt Dime

Individuals prize 1964 Roosevelt dimes for their historical importance and silver content. This was the final year America generated dimes containing 90% silver before switching to a copper-nickel composition in 1965. Rising silver prices prompted this change, rendering 1964 the ultimate celebration of precious metal dimes.

1964 Dime US 1965 Dime by BigDCoins

1964 Silver Roosevelt Dime (Cont.)

Beyond their silver value, pristine specimens with mirror-like proof finishes or exceptional torch detail can command $3,000 to $5,000. As of late May 2025, the melt value is approximately $1.80–$2.00 per coin, although uncirculated or proof examples are reportedly more expensive.

1964 Dime US 1965 Dime by BigDCoins

1961-D Lincoln Cent (D Over Horizontal D Error)

Back in 1961, those in charge made a mistake when they repunched the "D" mint mark over an old "D" that was lying flat on some Lincoln cent dies. This error, known as a repunched mint mark, is barely visible without the aid of a magnifying glass. 

1961-D Penny Worth Money - How Much Is It Worth and Why? by Treasure Town

1961-D Lincoln Cent (D Over Horizontal D Error) (Cont.)

The old horizontal "D" appears as a shadow underneath the new mint mark, which is facing the right way. In higher grades (MS65 and above), the value of these coins increases. The auction record for this variety is $228 for a PCGS MS65RD example sold in 2010.

1961 US Lincoln Pennies - United States One Cent Coins by DC Coin World

1967 Kennedy Half Dollar (Special Strike)

The 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar was not issued in regular proof sets but as part of the Special Mint Set (SMS), a unique finish between standard circulation and proof coins. These were manufactured at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of approximately 1.8 million SMS coins.

James St. John, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1967 Kennedy Half Dollar (Special Strike) (Cont.)

Some SMS coins display cameo (CAM) or deep cameo (DCAM) contrasts, which are especially desirable to collectors. Besides, specific items with significant errors, such as the "quintuple die obverse," have earned $935 (SP67, 2014) and up to $2,585 for a DCAM example.

James St. John, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons