Additional Coverage:
- 12 Coins From the 1940s That Are Worth Way More Than Face Value (financebuzz.com)
Check Your Change Jar! These 1940s Coins Could Be Worth a Small Fortune
Think that old, tarnished penny is just another cent? Think again!
Certain coins from the 1940s can be worth significantly more than their face value, sometimes due to rarity, and other times due to their silver content. Collectors are always searching for rare dates, mint marks, and even errors, meaning you could have a hidden treasure in your pocket change.
Here are twelve 1940s coins that could bring you some unexpected cash:
- 1943-S Lincoln Wheat Cent (Steel): While these steel cents often resemble silver, they were made from steel and zinc to conserve copper for WWII. A San Francisco-minted version (denoted by the “S”) can be worth up to $25 in uncirculated condition.
- 1942-P Jefferson Nickel (Silver): This nickel is historically significant, bearing the first “P” mint mark for Philadelphia. Made of copper, manganese, and silver due to wartime nickel shortages, it’s among the few nickels containing no nickel at all! Value: up to $26.
- 1941-S Mercury Dime (Silver): This dime, featuring Lady Liberty with Mercury-like wings, represents the era between the Great Depression and WWII. Its high silver content contributes to its value, with uncirculated dimes fetching almost $40.
- 1945-D Washington Quarter: Post-war and silver-rich, these quarters are a double win for collectors. The “D” signifies the Denver mint. An uncirculated Denver quarter can be worth up to $53.
- 1940 Walking Liberty Half Dollar (No Mint Mark): Depicting Lady Liberty against a sunrise, this Philadelphia-minted half dollar (no mint mark) can be worth up to $77 in mint condition. Rare proof versions can sell for hundreds more!
- 1940 Mercury Dime (No Mint Mark): All Mercury dimes hold value. Mint state 1940 dimes are worth around $39, but proof versions, specially minted and rarely circulated, can reach $225.
- 1940-S Mercury Dime: Another valuable wartime dime, this one from San Francisco (“S”). The clarity of the lines on the reverse side’s fasces impacts its value, with “full band” versions selling for hundreds.
- 1944-D Lincoln Wheat Cent (D over S Mint Mark Error): Errors equal rarity! The “D” punched over an “S” on these pennies creates a valuable distortion. Uncirculated examples can be worth over $850, while even damaged ones retain significant value.
- 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar (Proof): With an estimated 18,500 in existence, these proofs are highly sought after by collectors. Mint condition coins can fetch up to $900, and some have even sold for tens of thousands of dollars.
- 1946 Lincoln Cent (S over D Mint Mark Error): The “S” over “D” error on this cent can be identified by the distorted “S”. These are worth between $700 and $1,200 in mint condition.
- 1943-S Lincoln Wheat Cent: A rare copper anomaly from wartime, when cents were supposed to be steel. The San Francisco version is the rarest, potentially worth $267,000 in extremely fine condition and up to $628,000 if uncirculated.
- 1944-S Lincoln Wheat Cent: This steel penny, with only two known examples bearing the “S” mint mark, is one of the most valuable coins. A mint condition coin could be worth $1.2 million, and even average condition ones could sell for over $400,000.
Know Your Coins: A coin’s condition is key to its value. The Sheldon scale (1-70) grades coin quality, with 70 being perfect.
“MS” (Mint State) indicates a coin seemingly never circulated. Never clean your coins, as this can decrease their value.
Consider professional grading to assess your coins’ true worth. Your collection could be more valuable than you think!
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- 12 Coins From the 1940s That Are Worth Way More Than Face Value (financebuzz.com)