These 3 'Everyday' Coins From the 2000s Are Worth More Than Face Value
When you think of coins with great value, you probably imagine they were struck in ancient times or that Civil War soldiers may have carried them in their pockets. Surely, those everyday coins rattling around in your junk drawer or stashed in the attic can't be worth anything significant. After all, they came from the 2000s.
Well, you might need to prepare to be surprised. Some of the average-looking coins in your home are anything but average. Certain error coins from the 2000s could be worth more than face value — and we identified a few of them. If you find one, it could be worth taking it to a numismatist, or coin expert.
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2005 Quarter With an 18% Straight End Clip
Is it possible to sell a mere quarter for $180? That's exactly what happened to the person who found a 2005 quarter that jumped in value thanks to a minting error.
When describing what made this coin so valuable, the team at Old Money Prices said it was the coin's unique appearance — which made it seem like the top segment had been sliced off — that gave it prestige.
"This coin, graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service at Mint State 64, has an 18% straight end clip," they said. "During the minting process, this error occurred, and it allowed someone to sell a 25-cent quarter for $180."
Coins with these errors can be rare, which only increases their value. While $180 isn't exactly a fortune, it's still a healthy chunk of change for one coin.
2004-D Wisconsin Quarter With an Extra Leaf
The extra leaf on certain 2004-D Wisconsin quarters appears on the ear of corn, giving the coin a sense of heartland cheer. According to Eagle Eye Rare Coins, these errors were discovered in 2004, and within a year, the coin was the subject of "extreme speculation and debate."
Eagle Eye Rare Coins added that, at the end of this speculation, it was determined the error was likely a deliberate act. Apparently, someone at the Denver Mint sabotaged two different dies with a small tool.
"Their overall rarity has now been determined to be similar to that of classic die errors like the 1955 Doubled Die cent and 1937-D 3-Leg Buffalo nickel," Eagle Eye Rare Coins wrote.
According to the Eagle Eye Rare Coins website, this variety of coin can sell for $400 or even $500.
2005-P Kansas State Quarter With the "In God We Rust" Error
Some minting errors are funnier than others, like the die error that caused the typical "In God We Trust" to read "In God We Rust." It's not hard to see why this coin captivated so many collectors, but, as writer Laura Bennett explained in a Medium post, even everyday people got excited about this particular coin.
"2005 was the heart of the State Quarter program," Bennett wrote. "Millions of Americans were checking their pocket change for the first time. The 'In God We Rust' error became one of the program's most talked-about varieties."
The coin became rare because the Mint had to retire the die entirely. Bennett also advised readers how to identify the real deal, starting with the fact that only the Philadelphia Mint made this error, so you'll need to look for the "P" mint mark to the right of George Washington's ponytail.
"On a genuine error, the T and R are connected by a raised blob of metal that fills the space between the vertical stem of the T and the curved top of the R," Bennett wrote. "The connection is smooth and rounded — it follows the contour of the design."
Bennett said that while this particular coin won't net you life-changing money, some rarer versions — such as those graded MS66 and higher — could be worth $400 to $800.
The Bottom Line
Sometimes, a coin with an error is more than just a funny story or an oddity; it can be worth more than face value and, in some cases, several hundred dollars. If you find any of these supposedly average coins in your home, you may want to let a coin expert take a look.
Values depend on condition, rarity, demand and authentication, so don’t assume every odd-looking quarter is valuable — but don’t spend it before checking, either.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.
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