12 Rare U.S. Coins Worth A Fortune That Could Be Hiding In Your Change Jar

Written by Colby Droscher on updated
Close-up of a 1943 Lincoln penny, featuring two sides. The obverse shows a profile of Abraham Lincoln with the year "1943." The reverse displays the words "ONE CENT" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Text above reads: "Valued: Up to $1.5 Million.

Most of us handle change without a second thought. They’re more nuisance than necessity, but every so often, an ordinary-looking coin turns out to be worth a staggering sum. A number of rare U.S. coins have sold for millions at auction, which for most of us would be absolutely life-changing. We can’t imagine how thrilling it would be to stumble upon one of these historic pieces tucked away in an old jar or passed along as a change for a purchase, but we do know that it happens.

The stated value of these coins is based on auction records and the valuations of reputable coin grading services and is calculated not just by the rarity of the coin but its condition as well.

So, if you’ve never checked your change jar carefully, grab it and dump it out on the table because we’re looking for rare U.S. coins.

1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel – $4.56 Million

Two sides of a 1913 Liberty Head nickel. The obverse shows Lady Liberty in profile with stars around the edge. The reverse features a large "V" surrounded by a wreath, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" inscribed.
National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History

Why it’s rare: Only five were ever made and never officially released.

How to check: Look for a Liberty Head nickel dated 1913 with no mint mark.

2. 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar – $7.68 Million

An 1804 silver dollar coin. The front features a profile of a woman with flowing hair surrounded by stars and the word "LIBERTY." The back displays an eagle with a shield, holding arrows and an olive branch, under stars and an arc of clouds.
National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History

Why it’s rare: Struck years later as a diplomatic gift, not for circulation.

How to check: If you find a silver dollar stamped 1804, get it authenticated immediately.

3. 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar – $10 Million

Two sides of a 1794 silver coin. The front shows a profile of a woman surrounded by stars and the word "LIBERTY." The back features an eagle with outstretched wings, encircled by a wreath, and the words "STATES OF AMERICA.
National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History

Why it’s rare: It’s among the first U.S. silver dollars ever minted.

How to check: A large, silver coin with this extremely distinctive flowing hair design on Lady Liberty. Also, the eagle that appears on the back that has a neck and head straight out of Jim Henson’s Dark Crystal.

4. 1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar – $2.16 Million

Front and back of a 1870 U.S. silver dollar. The front shows Lady Liberty seated with a shield and staff. The back features an eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch. A red circle highlights the 'O' mint mark below the eagle.
Rare Coin Wholesalers / eBay

Why it’s rare: It had an extremely low mintage and was possibly intended as a presentation piece.

How to check: The “S” mint mark under the eagle’s tail is key.

5. 1894-S Barber Dime – $1.99 Million

The image shows both sides of an 1894 U.S. Barber dime. The obverse features a profile of Liberty with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the year. The reverse displays "ONE DIME" surrounded by a wreath. A small "S" mint mark is circled in red.
Professional Coin Grading Service / Wikimedia Commons

Why it’s rare: Only 24 of these were minted, and only nine are known to exist.

How to check: Look for an “S” mint mark on the reverse.

6.1792 Birch Cent – $2.58 Million

Front and back of a 1792 coin. Front: Bust of Lady Liberty with the text “LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY.” Back: Laurel wreath surrounding the text “ONE CENT” with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” around it.
Wikimedia Commons

Why it’s rare: It was an early experimental coin from the U.S. Mint.

How to check: If you find a cent from 1792, consult an expert.

7. 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

Two sides of a 1933 gold coin. The front features a robed figure holding a torch and olive branch, with rays and stars. The back shows a flying eagle, with "United States of America Twenty Dollars" and "In God We Trust.
Wikimedia Commons

Why it’s rare: Although 445,500 of these 20-dollar gold coins were minted in 1933, none were officially circulated, and all but two were ordered to be melted down. It’s unclear how many exist today.

How to check: Any 1933 $20 gold coin is worth getting verified.

8. 1796 Draped Bust Quarter – $1.74 Million

A 1796 Liberty coin. The front displays a woman's profile surrounded by stars with "LIBERTY" inscribed above. The back features an eagle with spread wings encircled by branches, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" inscribed around it.
PCGS

Why it’s rare: The first U.S. quarter ever minted with a very low production run.

How to check: Look for the Draped Bust design, 1796 date, and an eagle that appears to have been designed by someone who had never seen a bird before.

9. 1907 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle – $3.6 Million

A detailed image of a gold coin. The front features a standing figure holding a torch and olive branch, with rays and "LIBERTY" above. The back shows a flying eagle with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "TWENTY DOLLARS" inscribed.
rarecollectiblestv.com

Why it’s rare: The design was too difficult to produce in large quantities.

How to check: A $20 gold coin with ultra-high relief and Saint-Gaudens design.

10. 1943 Copper Penny – $1.7 Million

The image shows both sides of a 1943 Lincoln wheat penny. The obverse features a profile of Abraham Lincoln, facing right, with the words "In God We Trust," "Liberty," and the year "1943." The reverse shows two wheat stalks and the words "One Cent.”
PCGS

Why it’s rare: Most pennies in 1943 were made of steel due to WWII shortages. Approximately 40 coins are known to remain in existence.

How to check: Use a magnet—if it doesn’t stick, it could be copper.

11. 1856 Flying Eagle Cent – $172,500

An 1856 Flying Eagle cent coin. The front displays a flying eagle with the text "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the year "1856." The reverse shows "ONE CENT" surrounded by a wreath.
PCGS

Why it’s rare: Originally a pattern coin, it was later used for public circulation.

How to check: Unique, large eagle design and 1856 date.

12. 1793 Chain Cent – $2.35 Million

A 1793 U.S. one-cent coin showing a profile of Liberty with flowing hair on the obverse side and the words "LIBERTY" and "1793." The reverse features an intricate wreath design encircling "ONE CENT" and the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History

Why it’s rare: It was the first official U.S. cent coin with a controversial chain-link design.

How to check: Features a chain on the reverse instead of a wreath.