Casual but Rare: Valuable Coins to Look for in Pocket Change

Sometimes, valuables are closer than you think. Getting pocket change (which is now a rare thing itself) frequently presents unexpected gifts, yet these numismatic offerings may be easily overlooked, especially by those who are not used to employing cash nor familiar with this type of art. What if the change you get the next time may multiply your wealth overnight?

These days, when digitalization has finally conquered the world, traditional coins (not those of crypto origin, for sure) are mainly seen as collectibles or trite units of currency, and knowing which coins worth money in circulation can occupy the central part of the set is vital. So, what are the rare coins to look for in pocket change, and how to identify them properly?

The Appeal of Coin Hunting in Pocket Change

Coin hunting is not solely about targeted coin search, characterized by negotiations, auction attendance, constant monitoring of the market, and reading numismatists magazines. It is also about accidental discoveries typically made by accident or mistake. Unlike other forms of collecting, this requires a bit more attention, patience, time, and willingness to stay persistent all time long. At first, it may seem easy to inspect valuable pocket change on a daily basis, but sooner or later one understands how daunting and repetitive it is in fact.

Indeed, the aspects of chance and luck increase engagement, for this is the thrill that fuels any coin enthusiasts, no matter how professional and experienced they can be. Coins do travel across time and distance, change places and people, and tell their own stories as historical artifacts, whether legally recognized or not. Anyway, this type of coin hunting is a great opportunity to try something new, explore a new perspective of numismatics, and get involved with little to no expenditures at the beginning.

Categories Of Valuable Coins to Look for in Your Change

When looking for a change that is worth money, it is essential to know which types can hold any significance and which ones are no longer needed as potential collectibles. For your convenience and numismatic education, here is a quick overview of the main coins in pocket change worth money and your time.

High-Grade and Proof Coins

The most obvious group of coins that the majority of ordinary, not coin-centered people may detect is high-grade and proof coins. As a rule, coins show signs of wear, but these instances usually remain in excellent condition, which makes them a very sought-after group of coins in general. Although these should be rare and barely get in circulation, high-grade/proof coins may accidentally end up in the pocket change and, thus, this becomes even more engaging and rewarding to spot them by chance.

Error Coins

Another type of coin that cannot be neglected is the error coin. These are the coins that bear mistakes in their designs, minting processes, or composition, which is why they become unique and literally exceptional. In general, this includes off-center strikes, doubles dies, planchet errors, and more (whatever can be found on the mints and after). So, be the first to spot errors, identify their value, and collect the most valuable pocket change in the set.

By the way, so as to identify and assess the coin, it might be reasonable to employ on-the-spot tools like Coin ID Scanner. This application is the best app to check coin value​, just like those of the same kind, and offers a few prominent features, i.e., coin identification by photo right in the app, collection management tools, a digital numismatic encyclopedia, 24/7 assistance, and even more! Try now and explore coins whenever you like. 

Discontinued Coin Designs

Coins with discontinued designs or compositions also matter in terms of their value and uniqueness, when they are in good condition or rare state. For instance, half dimes, pennies made of copper, and early Jefferson nickels hold a historical significance, as well as cultural value and artistic meaning, too. At times, this also concerns modern examples such as the older Wheat pennies, though most of them are generally overlooked due to their ordinary appearance and late mint dates.

A List of Circulated Coins Worth Money

Tips for Successful Coin Search

When one strives to inspect change that's worth money with the aim to finally spot rare coins in circulation, it is vital to be equipped with essential knowledge so as to take the best out of this experience. What should you do then?

1. Know What You Are Looking For

Learn more about pocket change that is valuable, i.e., key coins, minting errors, and rare varieties to know what they look like and where they can be found. Mind that understanding their specifics can help you spot valuable coins in pocket change more easily.

2. Examine Coin Condition 

When you happen to meet the instances that seem to be rare/erroneous/high-grade, explore their condition as thoroughly (and carefully) as possible. The better the condition, the higher the price, that is the rule. 

3. Use Proper Tools 

Apart from magnifiers, it is crucial to have a soft cloth for handing coins, proper storage options, and software to manage your collection appropriately. When used in combination, these instruments ensure a smooth collecting experience and a high level of quality not to mention. 

4. Keep Track of Your Finds

Besides, always stay organized and categorize your findings into a catalog. Keep track of dates, mint marks, and special attributes to understand your collection and know everything about your discoveries for future hunts. 

5. Be Patient and Persistent

One more time: you cannot engage in this endeavor without being patient and persistent, for this activity always requires a lot of time, attention, and your inner resources for work. So, regularly check your change, make new discoveries, and learn more about the numismatic world with pleasure and grace.   

Sources: 

1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1461957107086124

2. https://archive.org/details/onecoinisneveren0000shut