7 Types of Must-Have United States Coins to Add to Your Collection

Have you ever encountered a lucky penny on the sidewalk, only to realize it's over a hundred years old? Did you ever dream of completing one of those 50 States Quarters boards for kids? Most importantly, do you know about the wide world of coin collecting? If not, it's time to get involved! 

Whether you've always wanted to start a coin collection or are looking for tips and tricks for growing your current set, we have you covered. With our expert help, you can learn a bit more about exactly what determines the value of a rare coin and get an in-depth look at the must-have coins any U.S. coin collector should have in their possession. 

The Fascinating History of Coin Collecting

Historians can trace the first use of coins to 650 BC in Greece—that's over two millennia ago! Since that initial example of metal pieces made to represent payments for goods and services, just about every culture and country worldwide has adopted the use of coins in society. When it comes to finding unique and valuable coins throughout the ages, the possibilities are endless!

Since collecting every rare coin ever made feels virtually impossible (though, who knows, maybe you can be the first!), modern coin collectors tend to narrow down on what they're looking for when shopping at vendor malls in Indiana. From rare coins of the United Kingdom to rare pennies from the early days of America, a coin collection can be made up of valuable coins from around the world. 

Why Collect Coins?

Many people partake in the exciting and intricate hobby of coin collecting because it's a way to connect with their family. Just about anyone can collect coins, whether they start by sorting through their weekly allowance for older, rare dimes or scouring the internet for valuable quarters. If you're looking for a fun-for-all-ages hobby, start a coin collection you and your kids can enjoy! 

Others collect valuable coins to turn a profit. Many coins, especially uncirculated rare coins, only get more and more valuable with age. Often, these people who collect to make money either become vendors at a Chicago antique mall to sell their wares to fellow collectors or intend to sit on their most reassured finds until the price tag reaches a certain number and they can cash out. If you're looking to make a little money while collecting, look towards the more surprising valuable items in your home and consider coins!

Some people who enjoy curating coin collections are massive history buffs. For instance, people who love learning about World War II can seek rare quarters from that era to feel connected to that time period. Others may love a certain president or political figure and only focus on buying valuable coins with their faces on them. The niche history references are plentiful in coin collections, as seen among other collectibles in Indiana.

5 Most Popular Types of U.S. Coin Collections

When it comes to choosing what kind of coin collection to curate, it's important to base it on something that either interests you or will be a monetary investment. The five most popular types of coin collections include: 

1. Year produced: a set determined by a range of years, such as rare pennies from 1910.

2. Designs: a set of specific coins grouped based on their designs, such as valuable quarters with state flowers.

3. One type of coin: a set made up of one type of coin, like any gold dollar coin ever produced.

4. Mint location: a set of coins that were all produced at the same mint location, such as valuable nickels from Denver, Colorado.

5. Uncirculated coins: a set made up of coins that were made but never introduced into economic circulation, making them mint condition.

Does a Coin Collection Have to Be Made of Complete Sets?

While a completed coin collection can feel gratifying, and may be the goal for some, you can be a coin collector with any number of coins! Some people just focus on finding the single, rare coins with a high value, while others wait until they have an entire set. The choice is yours—find them all in a Florida antique mall!

3 Elements that Determine a Coin's Value

When you do come across a suspected valuable coin, whether it be at a Highland antique mall event or between your couch cushions, it's important to know what factors go into the overall value. From rare nickels to vintage pennies, most coins are judged by these three elements:

1. How Rare is the Coin?

In general, the rarer a coin is, the more valuable it becomes. Rarity can come in all forms for valuable coins, from misprints that were never meant to be released to extremely old coins that are seldom found. If you have any reason to suspect the coin you find may be rare, do a little research!

2. What Condition is the Coin In?

When it comes to putting a price on a valuable coin, it all comes down to condition. If a coin is completely undamaged, it is referred to as mint condition (as in, it looks so brand new, it probably never left the mint it was made in). These are almost always extremely valuable.

But if you do find a rare coin that has wear and tear, don't discount it! These can still have monetary value, whether due to their rarity alone or because the coin perfectly suits someone's niche coin collection. 

3. How Old is the Coin?

Across the board, the older a coin is, the more likely it is to be extremely valuable. If you take a penny from 2010 and compare it to a rare penny from 1910, the antique one will always be worth more. This is often due to the fact that the percentage of precious metal in the coin is higher than what modern production requires. But don't rely solely on age—like other popular collectibles, many newer coins are also worth tons!  

The 7 Main Types of U.S. Coins to Collect

If you choose to specialize in collecting coins from the U.S., you must have an understanding of the seven main specimens. Learn a bit more about each, from valuable pennies you could find in your tip jars to out-of-print rare nickels you could spend your whole life searching for and more:

1. Search for Rare Pennies

Who could ever guess that little pieces of copper could be worth a massive dollar amount? If you've ever gotten the urge to keep your shiny little Lincolns around, you're not alone. Many collectors start out by searching for pretty, meaningful, or rare pennies. While each one is technically only worth one cent if you use it as normal, many of them have much larger price tags based on their materials, mint branches, or production errors. 

When you find a penny, understand what signs to look for. First, check out the front and back of the valuable coin to see if all important details (mint location, year made, facial details) are present. Then check for the finish, as both shiny and new can determine value in their own way. If you think you've found a rare penny worth money, buy it so you can check later on!

Pennies Worth Money:

• 1856 Flying Eagle Penny

• 1944 Steel Wheat Penny

• 1943 Copper Wheat Penny

• 1873 Indian Head Penny

• 1983 "Doubling Error" Penny

2. Seek Out Rare Dimes

Although Franklin D. Roosevelt has graced the face of the dime for most of our current generations' lifetimes, that wasn't always the case. He's been on the dime since 1946, but plenty of different facial designs came before him—if you find one that looks older, chances are, you've found a valuable dime. These ones were made with more silver (until 1965) and can be great investments.

Dimes Worth Money:

• Pre-1917 Dimes—featuring a profile drawing of Lady Liberty

• Mercury Dimes—featuring a drawing of Lady Liberty with wings on her head, often mistaken for representing Mercury, the Roman god of commerce

• Error Dimes—featuring an incidental duplication of any design elements, misprinted spelling errors, or lack of key letters. 

3. Hunt Down Rare Nickels

Although most modern-day nickels feature Thomas Jefferson's face, those aren't the ones you should be collecting. If you want to make more than five cents off Algonquin vendor mall find, odds are, it will feature a much older design. 

Nickel Designs Worth Money

In general, if you find a nickel with one of these designs, you've struck (figurative) gold. Learn what each of these looks like to keep your keen eye on the lookout:

Buffalo Nickels—with one side featuring a drawing of a hefty buffalo and the other a Native American chief. These buffalo coins were made from 1913 to 1938.

Liberty Head Nickels—with an image of a goddess's crowned head on one side and a large V on the other, these rare nickels were made from 1883 to 1912.

Ocean View Nickel: with an oceanside scene and pine trees, this 2005 nickel may not be worth millions yet, but it can be extremely valuable to those collecting based on the theme.

4. Look Out for Rare Quarters

Before you slip that quarter into your apartment laundry machine, take a closer look! Normal and rare quarters have been in circulation since 1796—so there are countless variations with different values. If you're someone who prefers to collect based on themes or designs, quarters are a great valuable coin to choose, as there are countless of images to hunt for, from different state flowers to special edition commemorative rare coins. 

Types of Valuable Quarters

• 1999-P Delaware State Quarter

• 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter

• 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

5. Find the Half Dollar

Although seldom used or produced today, the half dollar is a popular rare coin for collectors everywhere. They aren't completely out of print, but they're not often seen outside of casinos, specialized bank requests, and antique malls. Most of them feature John F. Kennedy and have since 1964, but only the ones made pre-1975 (which show Kennedy with accented hair above his ear) have any real chance of being worth anything to a money-focused coin collection. 

6. Keep an Eye Out for The Dollar Coin

Whether you grew up receiving one from the Tooth Fairy or come across one at a flea market, dollar coins are popular items of interest in coin collections. Though rarely used, they are still accepted as currency, so you have a chance to find these in the wild as well as at specialized vendor mall events and online. 

Common Faces and Designs on Dollar Coins:

Consider setting up a booth yourself if you have a collection of these gems:

• Gold Sacagawea

• Eisenhower

• Susan B. Anthony

• Draped Bust Lady Liberty

• Seated Lady Liberty

• American Innovation

• Flowing Hair Lady Liberty

7. Score Out-of-Print Half-Cents

Odds are, unless you're deep into your coin collection research, you've never heard of or even seen a half cent coin. That's because these rare coins were deemed unpopular and not-exactly-useful in 1857. But nowadays, if you find specific ones, they can be worth a bit of cash–we’re talking up to a thousand bucks for uncirculated half-cent pieces. These small, valuable coins are easy to spot, as they all feature the words "half-cent" stamped across the tail end. 

What's the Rarest U.S. Coin?

Any coin collection aficionado has asked themselves this question at one point—and hoped to find one in their search. The rarest and most valuable coin in the history of United States currency is the 1933 Double Eagle $20 coin, selling for $18.9 million a few years back. With only ten known Double Eagles ever found, this gold coin features a depiction of Lady Liberty on one side and an eagle on the other.

Where Can You Find Rare Coins?

Rare coins can be found just about anywhere, from sidewalks to high-end auctions. If you're searching for specific ones, your best bet is buying from places you can trust. Search for online sellers that authenticate their finds and head to your local antique mall locations to scour the booths and showcase curated coin collections.

As long as you know what to look for, your pocket change can be worth a whole lot more than a couple of cents! Learn about the elements that determine the value of a rare coin and get inspired to research and search for each of the seven main types of United States coins to start your coin collection today. Who knows, maybe you’ll want to sell your vintage collections at one of our stores someday!