Coin collecting worlds are often filled with rare discoveries that turn ordinary-looking pieces of cash into million-dollar jewels. Amongst all those, a recent evaluation of a rare Bicentennial Quarter priced it at around $12 million.
This coin, plus others like the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel, 1901-S Barber Quarter, 1916-D Mercury Dime, and 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, are perfect examples of how some of these coins are actually sold for much more than its face value. Let’s look at what makes these coins so precious and how collectors might find such hidden gems.
$12 Million Bicentennial Quarter
The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter was produced to honor the United States’ 200th anniversary, and while the majority of these coins are worth only 25 cents, one unique variant of the Bicentennial Quarter was recently appraised at about $12 million. The value is due to a rare minting error.
This quarter has a double strike with a misaligned design, meaning it is struck twice by the dies not in alignment. Minting faults like these are scarce, unique, and nearly impossible to reproduce, which is why coin collectors value them so much.
While other Bicentennial Quarters are worth no more than their face value, this edition has become one of the most valuable modern coins ever unearthed due to its scarcity and distinctive defect.
1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel
The 1937-D Buffalo Nickel is one of the most well-known mistake coins in American numismatics, particularly because of the “3-Legged” defect. During manufacture, a die used to strike the coin wore down, removing one of the buffalo’s legs and making the coin readily recognizable.
A 1937-D Buffalo Nickel in good condition can be valued more than $300,000, with superb or uncirculated examples commanding much higher prices. Its scarcity, combined with its unusual mistake, make it a must-have for serious collectors.
1901-S Barber Quarter
Charles E. Barber developed the famed Barber Coinage series, which includes the 1901-S Barber Quarter. The San Francisco Mint manufactured only 72,664 of these quarters, making them an extremely rare find.
Many of these coins have been circulated, tarnished, or melted at times, making surviving examples very valuable.
In good or uncirculated condition, the 1901-S Barber Quarter can easily bring over $300,000. Its rarity, historical significance, and unique design make it one of the most desired Barber coins.
1916-D Mercury Dime
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is another scarce coin with high value. Only 264,000 of these coins were produced, and most of them were highly circulated, making it very hard to find one in good condition.
Due to its limited mintage and great demand among collectors, the 1916-D Mercury Dime has become one of the most valuable dimes in American history.
An uncirculated 1916-D Mercury Dime can bring over $300,000 at auction; higher grades or exceptionally preserved specimens can bring much higher prices. Its high market value is due in part to Adolph A. Weinman’s stunning design and historical relevance.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel has become a numismatic legend. It was never formally approved for manufacture, and only five are known to exist. In 1912, the United States…
The Mint switched to the Buffalo Nickel design, but a small number of Liberty Head nickels were surreptitiously made, making them one of the rarest coins in the world.
Each of these coins is worth more than $3 million, and several have sold for more than $10 million at auction. Because so few copies have survived, the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is highly sought after by both collectors and investors.
| Coin | Key Identifier | Estimated Value (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 Bicentennial Quarter | Double-struck error with misaligned design | Close to $12 million (in rare cases) |
| 1937-D Buffalo Nickel (3-Legged) | Missing leg on buffalo (3-legged error) | Over $300,000 |
| 1901-S Barber Quarter | Low mintage, high demand in good condition | Over $300,000 |
| 1916-D Mercury Dime | Low mintage, highly sought-after design | Over $300,000 |
| 1913 Liberty Head Nickel | Unauthorized production, extremely rare | Over $3 million |
FAQ’s
How can I tell if my Buffalo Nickel is the 3-legged variety?
The 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel is easily recognizable by the buffalo’s missing leg. This coin mistake has attracted many collectors and made more than $300,000 at auction.
Are all 1901-S Barber Quarters valuable?
The 1901-S Barber Quarter is valued because to its low mintage, but its value rises dramatically if it is in exceptional or uncirculated condition.
Why does the Liberty Head Nickel 1913 have such a value?
The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel has never been authorized for production, and only five are known to exist. It is worth millions because to its rarity and historical significance.