U.S. Error Coins By Denomination: Rare & Valuable Pennies, Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, Half Dollars & Dollar Coins You Should Be Looking For

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By Joshua

Looking for valuable error coins and rare varieties from every denomination?

Or maybe you simply want to know what errors and varieties exist for just pennies, or just nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars, or dollars…

Must read: The Difference Between Coin Errors & Varieties

There are so many types of error coins and varieties out there, but knowing which ones are really worth looking for can be confusing.

Often, coins that people think are errors or varieties turn out to have only post-mint damage or common striking problems from the mint that really aren’t classified as errors.

So, we’ve rounded up all the information you need on the most popular errors and varieties from each denomination of U.S. coins!

Get ready… there are a lot of coins with errors and varieties to collect.

Penny Error Coins List

Pennies offer a plethora of errors and varieties — some are fairly common and some are extremely rare. They range in value from a few dollars to as much as $200,000+ and include a smorgasbord of cool rarities and unusual pieces. The bottom line… When it comes to pennies, there are lots of valuable errors to look for!

These are the penny errors you should be looking for — and their current value:

Nickel Error Coins List

While there are not as many significant errors or varieties specific to nickels as there are pennies, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your eyes peeled for some incredible finds on your five-cent coins. In fact, one of the most important error varieties of the 20th century is found on the 1937-D Buffalo nickel.

These are the nickel errors you should be looking for — and their current value:

Dime Error Coins List

Some of the most valuable error coins are found among dimes. The problem is, some of these errors (particularly the many “No S” mintmarks on the proof Roosevelt dimes) won’t be found in circulation — they only exist in collector proof sets. Still, there are several rare dime errors and varieties that can be found in your pocket change.

These are the dime errors you should be looking for — and their current value:

Quarter Error Coins List

There are so many errors and varieties on quarters that searching for them could keep collectors busy forever! (Sort of like all the error pennies do.) Some of the most fascinating errors and varieties to be found on the quarter are worth hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Best of all, most of the quarter errors can be found in circulation!

These are the quarter errors you should be looking for — and their current value:

Half Dollar Error Coins List

You may not find too many half dollars in your loose change anymore, but there are plenty of half dollar errors worth looking for in bank rolls, proof sets, mint sets, and other places. While the trusty Franklin half dollars carry some “hare-raising” varieties, some of the most valuable oddities are found on the Kennedy halves (roll searchers, rejoice).

These are the half dollar coin errors you should be looking for — and their current value:

Dollar Error Coins List

While dollar coins have had relatively little success as circulating coinage in the United States, they nevertheless have served important roles in our nation’s commerce. And while there aren’t many who can say they’ve regularly encountered dollar coins in spare change, there are many silver dollars and small-sized dollar coins that feature some valuable errors and varieties.

These are the dollar coin errors you should be looking for — and their current value:

3 Ways To Find Error Coins And Varieties

Whether you’re looking for pennies with errors or silver dollars with varieties, it never hurts to have a little help along the way.

These next 3 tips can help you find the rare and valuable errors and varieties you’re looking for!

#1 – Search coin rolls.

Many of the most successful hobbyists who collect errors and varieties regularly search through bank rolls and bags. It does take persistence, though. Many collectors have not only found popular errors and varieties this way — but have actually discovered new ones, too!

#2 – Do some cherrypicking at a coin shop.

A great many coin dealers have no idea that some errors and varieties even exist. Often, coins with obscure but significant errors and varieties are mistakenly labeled and priced as ordinary coins. So, if you have a good eye, you may find such coins being sold for much less than their real value by a coin dealer!

#3 – Check estate sales and garage sales.

Former collectors who are selling their coin collections along with the rest of their belongings in the front yard or community center may have no idea about the error coins and varieties that exist in their stash. You could find some valuable coins at such sales — if you’re patient and know what you’re looking for.

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