Check Your Pockets: Old Coins Could Be Worth Thousands

Additional Coverage:

10 Coins From the 1930s That Are Worth Way More Than Face Value (financebuzz.com)

Your Old Change Could Be Worth a Fortune: 10 Depression-Era Coins Fetching Big Bucks

[City, State] – That forgotten penny lurking in your coin jar or the bottom of your purse could be a hidden treasure. While most old coins are simply, well, old, some specific pieces, especially those minted during the Great Depression, are commanding hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars on the resale market.

If you’re looking to boost your bank account, it’s time to dig through your couch cushions, glove compartment, and anywhere else loose change might hide. We’ve compiled a list of 10 Depression-era coins that have proven to be serious earners.

Market prices for these coins were sourced from the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).

1. 1931-S Lincoln Penny

Record Sale: $38,400

Pennies bearing President Lincoln’s image, minted in San Francisco in 1931, are a rare find due to a limited production run. While a top-tier coin (graded MS67) fetched over $38,000 recently, even those in slightly lesser condition (MS63 or MS64) can still bring in a few hundred dollars. Even coins with minor flaws from this year are worth a look, as they’re more common than many other valuable pieces from the era.

2. 1932-D Washington Quarter

Record Sale: $143,750

Quarters featuring George Washington from 1932 are scarce, with the Denver-minted versions being the absolute rarest. With only about 436,800 originally produced, these coins are considered valuable even in decent condition. The record-setting sale for this coin was for one graded MS66.

3. 1932-S Washington Quarter

Record Sale: $45,500

Despite a slightly lower mintage in San Francisco (408,000) compared to Denver, these 1932 quarters are actually considered a bit easier to find today. Still, they are highly sought after by collectors. Even a coin graded MS60 could sell for around $425, with higher grades fetching thousands.

4. 1934-P Peace Dollar

Record Sale: $108,000

“Peace Dollars” minted in Philadelphia in 1934 can be worth significantly more than their face value. It’s worth investigating the market value of any silver dollar you come across.

These dollars feature Lady Liberty on the front and a perched eagle on the back. While a pristine MS67 graded coin sold for over $100,000, even those graded MS63 or MS64 consistently sell for hundreds of dollars.

5. 1935-S Peace Dollar

Record Sale: $39,656

The Peace Dollar series concluded in 1935, and silver dollars from these final years can hold substantial value. The 1935 San Francisco-minted coin isn’t as rare as its 1934-P counterpart, hence the slightly lower record sale. However, if you possess one graded MS63 or higher, you could be looking at a payday of $700 or more.

6. 1937 Buffalo Nickel

Record Sale: $18,213

The Philadelphia-minted 1937 nickel, featuring a Native American chief and a buffalo, is more commonly found than many other coins on this list. A very highly graded coin (MS67 or higher) could bring you a few hundred dollars. Even at lower 60s grades, the resale price hovers around $30-$40 – still a significant return on a nickel!

7. 1938-D Half Dollar

Record Sale: $44,400

Due to a low mintage, 50-cent pieces produced in Denver in 1938 are often quite valuable today. The record for an MS67 graded coin surpassed $40,000, but even those in less than perfect condition frequently sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars.

8. 1932-D Lincoln Penny

Record Sale: $25,200

Denver-minted 1932 Lincoln pennies in good condition are considered very rare. According to PCGS, coins graded beyond MS64 are exceptionally valuable to collectors, with MS65 or MS66 being incredibly scarce, and an MS67 virtually impossible to find.

9. 1930-S Indian Head $10 Coin

Record Sale: $299,000

A 1930 $10 coin featuring a woman wearing a Native American headdress is highly prized by collectors. Only a handful of the San Francisco-minted versions in good condition are known to exist.

Even lower-graded coins, like an MS63, have sold for tens of thousands of dollars. The record sale was for a rare MS67 graded coin in 2009.

10. 1933-P $20 Double Eagle Coin

Record Sale: $18.9 million

The 1933 Double Eagle $20 coin holds a legendary and controversial history. So rare is this coin that only one is known to have been auctioned to a private collector, setting a staggering record of $18.9 million, making it the most expensive coin ever sold.

While thousands were originally struck in 1933, most were melted down. The few that survived are believed to have been illegally smuggled from the mint.

Aside from the record-breaking coin, all other existing specimens are held by the government, according to PCGS.

The Bottom Line: Check Your Change!

While uncovering a multi-million-dollar coin from the 1930s is a long shot, you might very well be sitting on valuable Lincoln pennies or half dollars from that era that could fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars from the right buyer.

If you suspect you have a valuable coin, it’s crucial to get it professionally graded before attempting to sell it. This will help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure you get a fair price. You just might discover your old change is worth far more than you ever imagined!