Coin collecting is more than just a hobby — for some, it’s a treasure hunt! Hidden among everyday coins are rare “error coins,” minted with mistakes that make them incredibly valuable. These coins slipped past quality checks, and collectors are willing to pay huge sums for them. Whether it’s a wrong design or metal used, these errors have made some coins worth thousands, or even millions, of dollars. Here are the top five most valuable error coins ever minted and how to identify them.
1943 Copper Penny
During World War II, the U.S. Mint stopped making pennies from copper to save the metal for the war effort. Instead, pennies were made from steel. However, a small batch of copper pennies was mistakenly produced, making them extremely rare and valuable today. A 1943 copper penny can fetch up to $1.7 million!
How to spot it: Most 1943 pennies are made of steel and are silver-colored. If you find a 1943 penny that is copper, you may have hit the jackpot.
1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
The 1955 Lincoln penny is famous for its doubled die error, where the design on the front was stamped twice. This creates a doubling effect, making the date and words look blurry or shadowed. These error coins are highly sought after by collectors and can be worth over $100,000!
How to spot it: Look for doubling in the date and in the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The mistake is very noticeable.
2000 Sacagawea Dollar/Washington Quarter Mule
A “mule” error happens when two different designs from separate coins get mixed up. In 2000, a coin was produced with the front (obverse) of a Sacagawea dollar and the back (reverse) of a Washington quarter. Only 19 of these coins exist, and they are worth between $100,000 and $200,000.
How to spot it: If you see Sacagawea on one side and a quarter’s eagle design on the other, you’ve found one of these rare mule coins.
2004 Wisconsin State Quarter (Extra Leaf High/Low)
In 2004, some Wisconsin state quarters were minted with an extra leaf on the corn design on the back of the coin. This extra leaf comes in two versions: one placed “high” and one “low.” These coins, though not as rare as some others, can still be worth several thousand dollars, especially in great condition.
How to spot it: Check the corn stalk on the reverse of the Wisconsin quarter. If there’s an extra leaf near the ear of corn, you’ve found an error coin.
1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent (Doubled Die)
Another valuable error coin is the 1970-S small date Lincoln cent, known for its doubled die obverse. This doubling, especially visible in the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” makes the coin highly valuable to collectors. Depending on its condition, these coins can sell for $3,000 to $70,000.
How to spot it: Look closely at the letters on the front of the coin. If you see a doubling effect, you may have a rare 1970-S error coin.
Table of 5 Most Valuable Error Coins
| Coin | Year | Error Type | Value Range | How to Identify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Copper Penny | 1943 | Wrong metal (copper) | Up to $1.7 million | Look for a copper-colored penny from 1943 (most are steel and silver-colored). |
| 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent | 1955 | Doubled die (front design) | $1,000 – $125,000 | Check for doubling in the date and words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” |
| 2000 Sacagawea Dollar/Washington Mule | 2000 | Mule (mixed designs) | $100,000 – $200,000 | The front shows Sacagawea, while the back shows an eagle from a Washington quarter. |
| 2004 Wisconsin State Quarter (Extra Leaf) | 2004 | Extra leaf on corn design | $200 – $10,000 | Look for an extra leaf on the corn stalk on the back of the Wisconsin quarter. |
| 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent | 1970 | Doubled die (front design) | $3,000 – $70,000 | Check for doubling in the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” |
Conclusion
Finding one of these error coins could change your life! Whether it’s a copper penny from 1943 or a Sacagawea dollar mixed with a quarter, these coins are rare and highly valuable. Checking your change carefully could lead to a small fortune! If you think you’ve found an error coin, it’s important to have it checked by a professional appraiser to confirm its value and authenticity. Who knows — the next time you look at your pocket change, you might just discover a hidden treasure!
FAQ’s
What is an error coin?
An error coin is a coin that was minted with a mistake, such as using the wrong metal, having a doubled image, or mixing designs from different coins. These errors make them rare and valuable to collectors.
How can I tell if I have a valuable error coin?
Look for unusual features like doubling of text or images, incorrect metal color, or mixed designs from different coins. If you’re unsure, have the coin appraised by a professional.
Where can I sell an error coin?
You can sell error coins through coin dealers, online auction sites like eBay, or at coin auctions. Be sure to get your coin authenticated and graded to determine its true value.