Numismatics, the preservation and viewing of money, has intrigued lenders for centuries. Most coins are worth most to face fee, but the rarest discoveries are worth astronomical sums depending on their history, rarity, and characteristics. One such discovery stunned the numismatic community—a bicentennial quarter that is extremely rare and is worth almost $40 million.
In this article, we’ll look into the story behind this extraordinary quarter and highlight five other rare coins worth over $750,000 each.
Bicentennial Quarter
The Bicentennial Quarter, issued in 1976, was created to mark the 200th anniversary of American independence. Though millions of such quarters were manufactured, there exists one extremely rare edition worth almost $40 million.
This specific coin is extraordinary because it originated from a one-of-a-kind minting mistake, unusual composition, and original mint state. Specialists presume that it was being struck on a unique silver planchet, making it one-of-a-kind in its entire existence. Its astounding price made it among the most wanted coins in the entire world.
Below are five more coins that stunned collectors with their astonishing price tag.
1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent
In World War II, pennies were changed to zinc-plated metal by the U.S. Mint if you would prefer to preserve metal during the war efforts. Some of the 1943 pennies were incorrectly made on closing 1942 copper planchets.
These uncommon error coins are currently valued at more than $1.7 million, one of which was auctioned off at that price in 2010. Due to their extreme rarity and historical value, these coins are much sought after by collectors.
1804 Silver Dollar
Commonly referred to as the “King of American Coins,” the 1804 Silver Dollar is one of numerous the most iconic coins in US history. Not 1804, but actually struck in the 1830s as diplomatic presentation coins for foreign leaders of other nations.
There are most convenient 15 considered specimens of these coins, and every coin possesses an intriguing history. One of those popular coins was auctioned in 1999 for over $3.8 million.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the few rarest coins in the world, and only the top 5 are known to exist. It was allegedly secretly produced by a Mint employee, which makes it one of the most enigmatic coins in history.
Due to its rarity, this kind of coins became sold for a record-breaking $4.Five million in 2018, one among the most precious nickels ever.
1794 Flowing Hair Dollar
The 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar is especially significant in U.S. history since it is the very first silver dollar produced by the U.S. Mint. It was designed by Robert Scot with a beautiful Liberty portrait.
With fewer than 150 specimens in existence, this coin is extremely rare. In 2013, one of the specimens sold for a record price of over $10 million, one of the highest-priced coins ever.
1933 Double Eagle
The Double Eagle of 1933 is one of the most valuable and well-known coins to be minted. Despite more than 445,000 being created, almost all were melted before release because of a currency exchange during the height of the Great Depression.
A few of them survived, and in 2002, one fetched $18.9 million, a record then. With its rarity, legal suspense, and beauty, it’s one of the most desirable coins among numismatists.
How to Check If You Have One of These Rare Quarters
If you think you might have a rare Bicentennial Quarter, follow these steps:
- Examine the Date and Mint Mark – Look for 1976 quarters with “S” mintmarks or no mintmark.
- Check for Errors – Look for doubling, off-center strikes, or incorrect planchets.
- Weigh the Coin – Silver quarters weigh 6.25 grams, while standard ones are 5.67 grams.
- Get a Professional Appraisal – Have your coin graded by PCGS or NGC.
- Preserve Your Coin – Store it in a protective holder to maintain its condition.
Final Thought
Numismatics is a sport packed with secrets, and these beautiful coins are evidence that a regular piece of change can be an expensive item. Due to errors in minting, historical interest, or rarity alone, these coins are an object of interest and wonder for people all around the world. Who knows? You might just have a prized coin hidden amongst your collection.
FAQ’s
How do I know if my coin is actually worth money?
Look for mint error, scarcity, and historical significance.
Why is the rare bicentennial zone worth nearly $40 million?
It was minted on a unique silver planchet and is comprised of an unprecedented minting error.