Check Your Change: 1970s Coins Could Be Worth Thousands

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11 Coins From the 1970s That Are Worth Way More Than Face Value (financebuzz.com)

Your Old Change Could Be Worth Thousands! Check Your Jars for These 1970s Coins

Think those old coins gathering dust in your change jar are just pocket lint? Think again!

While many coins only fetch their face value, some rare pieces from the 1970s are secretly worth hundreds, even thousands, to eager collectors. It’s time to dig through those forgotten stashes and see if you’re sitting on a small fortune.

You don’t need ancient artifacts to strike it rich in the coin world. Even modern-era coins can hold significant value, especially if they have unique characteristics or minting errors. We’re talking about some serious cash for a few specific coins from the ’70s.

Here are 11 valuable coins from the 1970s you should be looking for:

1. 1970-S Large Date Penny

Pennies minted in San Francisco in 1970 come in two distinct varieties: “large date” and “small date.” Collectors are keen to own both.

The “large date” version features slightly bigger numbers and a more pronounced “LIBERTY” inscription. These can easily sell for over $100, with one record auction hitting an impressive $1,500 in 2019.

2. 1970-S Small Date Penny

Its counterpart, the 1970-S “small date” penny, has a noticeably smaller “7” in the date and a weaker “LIBERTY” stamp. If you find one of these in excellent “mint state” (MS) condition, you could be looking at serious money. The record auction sale for a high-grade example stands at $2,464.

3. 1978 Thomas Jefferson Nickel Misprint

This one is a true needle in a haystack! A rare printing error caused the design of a 1979 Susan B.

Anthony dollar coin to be accidentally stamped onto a 1978 Thomas Jefferson nickel. A single version of this incredibly rare error coin sold at auction in 2014 for over $15,000!

4. 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar

Even without a misprint, a 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar can be valuable, especially if it’s in pristine condition.

Coins rated in the high 60s for “mint state” (MS 60-70) can fetch a pretty penny. The record auction price for one of these beauties was $3,819 in 2014.

5. 1971-S Deep Cameo Proof Penny

Proof coins are specially struck models with sharper details. Those designated “deep cameo” have a distinct “frosting” effect. A 1971-S proof penny with this “deep cameo” appearance can be worth thousands, with one selling for over $17,000 in 2004!

6. 1976-P Clad Bicentennial Quarter

Issued to commemorate 200 years of American independence, the 1976 Bicentennial quarter features a colonial drummer on its reverse side. If your quarter has no mint mark, it was struck in Philadelphia and is a “clad” coin (made from different metals). These have been known to sell for thousands, with a 2024 auction record of $2,520.

7. 1974-S Reverse Brockage Penny

Another incredibly rare find, this 1974-S penny features a unique misprint: the standard Abraham Lincoln design on the front, but a reverse brockage (an inverted image) of a 1973-S cent on the back, essentially showing Lincoln twice! One of these reportedly sold for over $11,000 in 2020.

8. 1971-S Double Die Obverse Penny

A “double die” error occurs when a coin is struck multiple times by the design stamp, causing subtle doubling in the coin’s features. If this happens on the obverse (heads side) of a 1971-S penny, it can add significant value. One such penny sold for $748 in 2007.

9. 1970-S Double-Struck and Broadstruck Nickel

This rare 1970-S nickel is a collector’s dream, featuring two distinct minting errors: “double-struck,” meaning the coin was struck multiple times, appearing flattened, and “broadstruck,” where the stamp isn’t perfectly centered. These errors can push the coin’s value to around $2,000.

10. 1973-D Double-Struck, Off-Center Nickel

Another double-struck nickel, this one from 1973 and minted in Denver, could be worth a few hundred dollars. This particular error features a second strike that is approximately 75% off-center. A version of this coin is currently being auctioned with a starting price of nearly $900.

11. 1975-S No Mint Mark Dime

Imagine finding a 1975 proof dime, produced by the San Francisco Mint, but without the tell-tale “S” mint mark. Only a handful of these “no mint mark” coins are known to exist, making them exceptionally valuable. In 2019, one of these ultra-rare dimes sold at auction for an astonishing $456,000!

The Bottom Line: Start Searching!

While most coins, even old ones, are usually only worth their face value, these examples prove that a little digging through your loose change could unearth a hidden treasure. Keep an eye out for subtle printing errors like double strikes, missing mint marks, or even slight variations in font size, especially on those 1970 pennies.

Selling valuable coins is a fun way to earn some extra cash without needing to quit your day job. Happy hunting!