Rare Coins and Currency Guide

Flying Eagkes Pennies (1856-1858)

• 1856

Indian Head Pennies (1864–1909)

• 1872
• 1873 Open 3
• 1873 Closed 3
• 1877
• 1908 S 
• 1909 S

Errors

• 1867 (67 over 67)
• 1869 (69 over 69)
• 1873 Double Liberty
• 1888 (8 over 7)
• 1894 Doube Date
• 1897 (1 in Neck)

Wheat Pennies (1909–1958)

• 1909 S
• 1909 S V.D.B.
• 1911 S (Okay Date)
• 1914 D
• 1924 D (Okay Date)
• 1931 S

Errors

• 1909 S (S over horizontal S)
• 1909 V.D.B Double Die Obverse
• 1917 Double Die Obverse
• 1922 Weak Reverse
• 1922 Strong Reverse
• 1922 D Weak D & Reverse
• 1936 Double Die Obverse
• 1941 Double Die Obverse
• 1955 Double Die Obverse
• 19958 Double Die Obverse

We will purchase any Liberty, Indian/Buffalo nickels as long as we can read the date. 

Shield Nickel

• 1871
• 1879
• 1880
• 1881

Errors

• 1866 Repunched Date
• 1873 Double Die Obverse
• 1883 (3 over 2)

Liberty Head “V” Nickels (1883–1913)

• 1885
• 1886 
• 1912 S
• 1913

Indian Head / Buffalo Nickels (1913–1938)

• 1913 S Variety 1
• 1913 D Variety 2
• 1913 S Variety 2
• 1914 D
• 1915 S
• 1921 S 

Errors

• 1914 (4 over 3)
• 1916 Double Die Obverse
• 1918 D (8 over 7)
• 1935 Double Die Reverse
• 1936 D — 3½ Legs (Misprint)
• 1937 D — 3 Legs (Misprint)

War Nickels (1942-1945)

• Large mint marks P, D or S (35% Silver)

We will purchase 1964 & earlier dimes (90% Silver). All Seated Dimes need to be evaluated including Half Dimes.

Barber Dimes (1892-1916) 90% Silver

• 1892 S
• 1893 O
• 1894 O
• 1895 O
• 1895 S
• 1896 O
• 1896 S
• 1897 O
• 1897 S
• 1901 S
• 1903 S
• 1904 S
• 1913 S

Errors

• 1893 (3 over 2)
• 1905 O (Micro O)

Mercury Dimes (1916-1945) 90% Silver

• 1916 D
• 1921
• 1921 D
• 1926 S

Errors

• 1942 (42 Over 41)
• 1942 D (42 Over 41)

Roosevelt Dimes (1946-Present) 1946-1964 are 90% Silver. There are no key dates.

We will purchase 1964 & earlier quarters (90% Silver). All Seated Liberty Twenty Cent, Capped Bust Quarter & Seated Liberty Quarter will need to be evaluated.

Barber Quarter (1892–1916) 90% Silver

• 1896 S
• 1897 S
• 1901 S
• 1913 S
• 1914 S

Standing Liberty Quarter (1916–1930) All 1917 Varity 1 & 2 need to be evaluated. 90% Silver

• 1916
• 1919 D
• 1919 S
• 1920 D
• 1923 S
• 1924 D
• 1927 D

Errors

• 1918 S (8 over 7)

Washington Quarter (1932–Present) 1932-1964 are 90% silver.

• 1932 D 
• 1932 S 

Errors

• 1934 Double Die Obverse
• 1937 Double Die Obverse
• 1942 Double Die Obverse
• 1943 Double Die Obverse
• 1943 S Double Die Obverse

• 1965-1969 half dollars (40% Silver).

Barber (Liberty Head) Half Dollar (1892–1915) 90% Silver

• 1892 O
• 1893 S
• 1896 S
• 1897 O
• 1897 S
• 1901 S
• 1904 S
• 1914 
• 1915

Errors

• 1892 O (Micro O)

Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916–1947) 90% Silver

• 1916 (Okay Date)
• 1916 S (Okay Date)
• 1921
• 1921 D
• 1938 D (Okay Date)

Benjamin Franklin Half Dollars (1948-1963) 90& Silver. There are no key dates.

Kennedy Half Dollars (1964-Present)

• 99% Silver
  • 2019-Present Proofs Only
• 90% Silver
  • 1964
  • 1998 S Matte Finish
  • 2014 D Proof
  • 2014 S Proof
• 40% Silver
  • 1965–1969
  • Bicentennial 1776-1976 S 

Errors

• 1964 Heavily Accented Hair

Morgan Silver Dollars (1878–1921) 90% Silver

Multiple good dates exist — bring yours in for evaluation.

Errors

• 1878 (8 tail feathers)
• 1880 (80 over 79)
• 1882 O (O over S)
• 1887 (7 over 6)
• 1888 O Double Die Obverse or Scarface
• 1899 O (Micro O)
• 1900 O (O over CC)
• 1903 S (Micro S)

Peace Dollars (1921–1935) 90% Silver

• 1921
• 1928
• 1934 S
• 1935 S

Errors

• 1934 D Double Die Obverse

Eisenhower (Eke) Dollars (1971-Present)

• 1971 D Type 1
• 1972 Type 2
• 40% Silver
  • 1971-1976 S 
  • Bicentennial 1776-1976 S 

Susan B. Anthony (1979-1999)

• 1981 S Type 2

American Eagles (1986-Current) .999 Silver

(All are silver; no specific key dates listed.)

Presidential & Sacagawea Dollars

Gold coloring - they are not real gold & are worth face value.

• Sacagawea 2000 P Cheerios Edition

General Rule for Bills

Most modern bills (1930s–today) are worth face value unless they have a rare serial number or a clear printing error.

Old-Style Notes (Pre-1928)

Silver Certificates (Blue Seal) 

• Pre-1928 $1 (any series)

Red Seal Legal Tender Notes

• 1928 & 1934 $2 

Gold Certificates

Rare & valuable, especially higher denominations.

Serial Number Rarity

Collectors look for unique patterns, not just age.

Valuable types include:

• Low Numbers: 00000001–00000100
• High Numbers: 99999900+
• Repeater/Radar: 12344321, 80808080
• Binary: Only two digits (e.g., 00009999)
• Star Notes: Replacement notes (little ⭐ next to the serial)
• Misprints/Errors

These can carry real value.

• Missing print on one side
• Offset printing
• Misaligned seals
• Ink smears
• Cutting errors (big white borders)
• Large Size Notes (1923 & earlier)

These are larger-than-modern bills and ALWAYS have collector value:

• Horse Blanket $1
• Black Eagle Notes
• Educational Notes 

High-Denomination Notes

• $500
• $1,000
• $5,000
• $10,000

General Rule for Foreign Coins

Most modern foreign coins are not rare. Silver, age, and condition are the biggest value factors. 

Silver Foreign Coins

Coins made (Pre-1964) in many countries contain silver.

• Canada
• Mexico
• United Kingdom
• Switzerland

Pre-Euro Coins

Old European currency (Pre-1940s) has collectible interest, especially:

• German Marks
• French Francs
• Italian Lire
• Irish Pounds

Not all are valuable — condition and metal matter most.

British Commonwealth Coins

Older coins can carry value depending on silver content and monarch (Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V) from:

• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• South Africa

Key Collectible Types

• Large copper coins
• Colonial-era pieces
• High silver content coins

General Rule for Foreign Bills

Most modern foreign paper money is worth face value or souvenir value unless:

• It’s old
• It’s rare
• It’s in uncirculated condition
• It has historical importance

High-Inflation / Historical Notes

These are popular but usually inexpensive unless high grade:

• German hyperinflation bills (1920s)
• Old Yugoslavia
• Soviet-era rubles
• Pre-communist China notes

Older British Commonwealth Bills

From Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong especially with:

• Queen Victoria
• George V
• Replacement/star notes

Pre-Euro Bills (Pre-1940s)

Collectors seek uncirculated bills or full bundles.

• German Marks
• French Francs
• Italian Lire

Large Size or High-Denomination Notes

Older large-format foreign notes (pre-1940s) or high-value bills often carry collector interest.

Error Notes

Same as U.S. bills — printing errors can raise value anywhere.