Numismatics should be the most captivating ventures, so much so that it pour all into the chronicles of history, other beautiful arts, and discoveries. Besides, some steeper-valued rare coins are there in the world because of their peculiarity or odd design and their history.
1939 Jefferson Nickel:
The Tale of a Rare Coin Along With Other Highly Constant Coins
One of these would be the 1939 Jefferson Nickel, which has recently attracted an auction price of $350,000. This coin is quite a great hit among collectors now, and besides this, as few as three other rare coins may be still lying hidden in your pocket today, worth millions.
History and Characteristics
This coin shows the picture of the third American president, Thomas Jefferson, on the obverse, and on the reverse, it shows Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s famous residence. The 1939 version is found to be especially rare because of some specific minting errors and because that makes this coin extremely valuable.
Variations of 1939 Jefferson Nickel
- 1939 Double Monticello – A rare error in which Monticello appears doubled in the reverse of the coin. Highly sought after by the collectors.
- 1939 ‘Reverse of 1940’ – It bears the reverse die of the 1940 Jefferson nickel, which makes this a unique and valuable coin.
- 1939 ‘Full Steps’ – The clearer and deeper the steps of Monticello are, the better the price.
- In good condition, this coin could sell for perhaps $350,000 if it possesses any of these rare attributes.
The Jefferson Nickel design variations include the following:
Another Coin with Rarity and Value
Among the rare coins that can stand up sideways with the 1939 Jefferson nickel worth millions of dollars include:
The 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar
1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the scarcest and costliest coins in American history.
Key features:
Mint mark: The ‘S’ denotes that it’s minted in the San Francisco Mint.
Design: The front displays Liberty Lady and the back has an eagle grasping an arrow and an olive branch.
Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
Their entire minting is a pittance of 100,000 coins and thus became very rare in such a condition that it sold at auction for as high as $2 million.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Maybe no other numismatic marvel has had so many historical mysteries or controversies surrounding it as this coin, for as few as five pieces exist in the world:
Features:
- Design: Image of Lady Liberty publicly-and engraved “V” (five) Roman numerals on the reverse.
- History: This coin is an illegal made-by underhanded mint employees even after the officers went to issuing the Buffalo nickel in 1913.
A 1913 Liberty Head nickel sold for $3.7 million in 2018 at auction, making it one of the most expensive coins in America.
1943 Copper Penny
1943 saw the minting of most pennies made of steel due to an acute shortage of copper within the U.S. Mint. Copper pennies were mistakenly made and are now counted as rare coins.
Some features include:
- Composition: 1943 normal pennies are made of steel, while the copper variety is an accidental creation of the minting process.
- Identification: This penny would bear a different tint from the ordinary 1943 steel penny and is not magnetic. At an auction, a 1943 copper penny has sold for as much as $840,000.
How to Know Rare Coin?
If you want to check out the value of your coins, then here are some tips you could ponder:
- Check for minting errors: Look for double images, missing letterings, or any weird designs.
- Look at the coin’s date and mint mark: Coins minted during certain years and certain mints are more rare.
- Check the condition of the coin: Better condition is valued more.
- Look through a magnifying glass: Small details can emphasize rare characteristics.
Conclusion
Coin collecting is, without a doubt, an entertaining pastime that can be rather a history lesson and educational experience itself. The thrill of finding the rare coin and piecing together its historical significance makes it even more special. You may even have rare coins such as the 1939 Jefferson nickel, the 1893-S Morgan silver dollar, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel, and the 1943 copper penny!
If one coin collector or simply an interested person is reading this, have your collection examined closely because you never know; it may just be some million-dollar treasure hidden in your pocket!
FAQS:
How can I recognize if a coin is worth anything?
A. Study its type, year, mint-mark, and condition. Consult a reliable pricing guide or consult an expert.
Are all flawed coins valuable?
No. A coin’s rarity, type of defect, and demand with collectors give it its value.
Should I clean my coins?
Cleaning coins spoils their original condition which, of course, lowers its value.