Top Coins to Collect (2024)

Are you thinking about getting into coin collecting? Are you already an avid coin collector? Or maybe you stumbled across an interesting coin and want to know if it's worth something. If you're going to be collecting coins, which ones should you keep or seek out?

We've compiled a guide of the top coins to collect if you're in need of some ideas. When it comes down to it, there's value in just about every coin, depending on how long you hold onto it and whether you're able to find someone who's interested in buying when you're ready to sell.

Top 10 Best Coins to Collect

Coin collectors tend to be knowledgeable about the coins in their possession, and the savviest collectors also know how to turn those coins into investments. This list contains some of the most sought-after coins for beginners and advanced collectors alike.

Our countdown of the top 10 best coins to start collecting, starting with number 10, is based on the coin's popularity with collectors, the beauty of their designs and the potential for their value to increase.

10. 1908 St. Gaudens - Arabic Numerals, No Motto

This $20 gold coin is widely considered to be the most beautiful coin ever produced in America. The motto, "In God We Trust," was not initially included by the designer, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. At the end of 1908, the design was changed to include the motto on the coin's reverse. This gold coin without a motto will add value and beauty to any coin collection, and it's available at a modest price, making it obtainable for just about any coin collector.

9. 1932-D Washington Quarter

In 1932, this quarter was produced as a one-year commemoration of the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birthday. The Great Depression prevented the production of Washington quarters in the following year, 1933. In 1934, the design was adopted permanently. You can find the design still in use today.

The 1932-D Washington Quarter is scarce, and thus, is arguably a more valuable addition to a collection than its counterpart minted in San Francisco.

8. 1917 Standing Liberty Quarter — Type 1

In 1916, a limited number of the Standing Liberty Quarter were produced. Given its rarity, it's also quite expensive. The coin's second production year, in 1917, is a much more affordable version of this classic coin.

On the Type 1 coin, Lady Liberty's right breast is exposed. While some considered it to be a beautiful design reminiscent of Greek art, others considered it to be obscene. By 1917, pressure from religious leaders led to the second type of coin on which Lady Liberty's chest is covered up with chain mail armor.

Beginning collectors may be able to get their hands on an affordable, circulated coin. Uncirculated pieces can be obtained quite easily by intermediate coin collectors.

7. 1916-D Mercury Dime

The Mercury dime joined American coinage in 1916. The proper name for the Mercury dime is actually the "Winged Liberty Head Dime". The public believed, however, that the image on the coin of the woman with wings on her head was the Roman god Mercury.

The coin was designed by Adolf Weinman, and as the symbolic design is quite popular, this coin has become quite an icon in the eyes of the American public. As such, it's now one of America's most collected coins, with many experts considering it the most beautiful coin ever produced in the U.S.

6. 1917 Buffalo Nickel

Because the 1917 Buffalo Nickel is one of America's most distinct coins, it's also quite popular among collectors. This coin is one of the few to have the depiction of a living being on both of its sides. The designer of this coin was James Earle Fraser, who was once an assistant to Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a well-known coin designer.

The image of the buffalo was based on an American bison, and the coin was lauded for its American imagery. These nickels are now becoming more challenging to find, but you can purchase a Buffalo Nickel from American Mint, so you can include this one in your collection.

5. Indian Head Penny

James B. Longacre redesigned the Flying Eagle Penny in 1858 per the request of the U.S. Mint. In his redesign process of the Indian Head Penny, he removed the eagle image and brought back Miss Liberty, but this time as a Native American. Longacre may have used his daughter as the model for the image, according to legend. In 1859, his design was introduced and was produced until it was replaced with the Lincoln Penny in 1909.

Today, this penny has become quite difficult to find. Fortunately, coin collectors can purchase this coin from American Mint.

4. 1986 $5 Statue of Liberty Gold Coin

The U.S. Mint issued gold coins in 1986 to commemorate many places, people and events. Many of these coins are now coveted by coin collectors for their limited production, historical appeal and high gold content. The $5 Statue of Liberty 100th Anniversary Gold Coin was the first of these coins to be produced and features the image of Lady Liberty.

A part of the profit of every coin sold was used for the restoration of both the Statue and Ellis Island, along with the future maintenance of the monument. This coin was limited to a production of 500,000 coins. As such, these coins are challenging to find and mostly belong to private collections.

3. 1878-CC Silver Morgan Dollar

Designed by George T. Morgan, the Silver Morgan Dollar was first produced in 1878, and production ended in 1904 as the demand for the coin dropped. Production, however, began again in 1921, though it was only for a short time as it was replaced by the Peace Dollar the same year. The coin is one of the most popular among collectors in America today.

In 1878, the coin was minted in Carson City and San Francisco, and it consists of 10% copper and 90% pure silver. Coin collectors can find these circulated coins at a moderate price. Intermediate collectors may also be able to get their hands on an uncirculated coin.

2. 1921 Peace Dollar

The Peace Silver Dollar was designed by Anthony de Francisci and produced from 1921 until 1928. Then the coin was minted again from 1934 to 1935 for the backing of silver certificates. Anthony de Francisci was an Italian immigrant who admired the Statue of Liberty and used his wife as his model for the portrait, creating a design that was emblematic of liberty for the obverse, which is the "heads" side of a coin. On the reverse side of the coin, an American Eagle design symbolized peace.

This coin has become one of the most beloved among collectors, as the United States Mint produced them over just a few years. The public quickly snatched up these coins. Even though this coin is considered fairly scarce –– particularly the coins that were minted in 1934 and 1935, as they were produced in small quantities –– beginners to coin collecting may be able to acquire one of these coins at a modest price.

1. 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent

The design of the penny was changed in 1909 to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday, becoming the first of the Lincoln pennies. The original design of the coin included the last name of the designer, Victor David Brenner. After the United States Mint decided the name was too obtrusive, Brenner changed the design to include only his initials, VDB, on the reverse of the coin. After the release of the coin, there were still protests about the initials, so they were eliminated entirely until being restored in 1918 in a smaller form.

The image that Victor David Brenner designed is still in use today. Along with the initials, the reverse side of the coin also included two sheaves of wheat.

The uncirculated version of this coin contains 5% zinc and tin and 95% copper. You can find this Lincoln penny in an Abraham Lincoln boxed coin set from American Mint.

If you're looking for good coins to collect to start your collection or expand it, we recommend adding these top 10 coins to your list.

What Are the Most Sought After U.S. Coins?

Now that we've covered 10 solid, accessible coins that are worthwhile to add to your collection, we'd like to presentsome of the most sought after coins in the U.S. market; these rare pieces might be a little harder to locate, but if you can find one, it's certainly worth the purchase.

1. Walking Liberty Half Dollar

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was introduced and minted from 1916 to 1947. It has since been considered to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing coins to be produced in America. This coin was designed by Adolph A. Weinman, featuring Miss Liberty wearing an American flag across her shoulders. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar is one of the most collected coins today due to its high silver content and historical significance. Circulated coins are an affordable option for collectors.

2. 50 State Quarters

In 1999, the United States Mint started producing these quarters to honor the 50 states. The 50 State Quarters series was completed in 2009. This is the most successful numismatic program, as many collectors have collected every coin in the series or have chosen to collect coins from states they've visited.

3. Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles were minted from 1907 to 1933. Today, they are the most popular gold coins. While Americans loved the coin, it had a short life after President Franklin Roosevelt made owning gold privately illegal. All but a few of these gold coins were confiscated and destroyed.

4. Two-Cent Coin

In 1864, the Two-Cent Coin was released, becoming the first coin to bear the motto "In God We Trust." Production of this coin lasted until 1873, and a well-worn coin is very affordable for collectors.

5. Silver Peace Dollar

From 1921 to 1928 and again from 1934 to 1935, the Silver Peace Dollar was minted to commemorate the end of World War I. The design of this coin included Lady Liberty adorned with a crown, and on the reverse, an eagle clutching olive branches. These symbols enabled the coin to become an icon of liberty and peace in the U.S. Because this coin is considered to be the final American silver dollar, it's highly sought after by collectors.

Because these coins are small and available in very limited quantities, they are highly favored by coin collectors.

What Are the Best Coins to Collect for Investment?

If you enjoy collecting coins purely for the investment value, you may be wondering what coins are worth your time and money. This list can help you get started with the best coins to collect for profit.

1. Rare, Key Date Coins

The best coins to collect for investment are generally considered to be rare, key date coins in the best grade. Key date coins refer to coins that have a date or a combined date and mint mark that are incredibly rare and difficult to find. These also tend to be some of the most expensive coins in a collection, though the value or price of these coins is also determined by other factors, such as the survival rate, condition rarity, mintage and the popularity of the series among collectors.

2. High-Grade Coins

Purchasing a coin in a high grade is key to finding the best coins to collect for profit. A high grade affects how the value of your coin appreciates. Common, lower grade coins haven't appreciated as well as key date coins, so they may not be the best investment choice, though they can still be a lot of fun to collect and add to an album.

If spending thousands of dollars on a key date coin in a high grade isn't affordable for you, you may want to consider purchasing coins in the finest grade you can afford.

Coin experts believe many U.S. nickels are undervalued. Obsolete coins of a high grade, such as silver Kennedy Half Dollars, Walking Liberty and Franklin are also considered underrated.

3. Bullion Coins

Another coin that could be a great investment is a bullion coin. These coins are typically made from precious metal, such as silver, gold or platinum. Bullion coins make good investment coins because metals tend to rise in value over time.

When it comes to investing, these are the coins worth collecting.

Coins From American Mint

Put your new knowledge to the test by browsing our coin selection at American Mint. Our service promise includes:

· 100% satisfaction guarantee

· Personal and individual customer service

· Special offers and discounts

· Guaranteed authenticity

If for some reason you're not satisfied with your purchase, you can utilize our money-back guarantee. With our money-back guarantee, you can return any item, for any reason, within 20 days and we'll provide you with a replacement, a refund or a credit to your account.

With American Mint, every collector can find the right piece for their collection. Ready to add the next great coin to your collection? Browse and shop for coins online today.

Sources

https://www.americanmint.com/the-anatomy-of-a-coin

https://www.americanmint.com/1916-standing-liberty-quarter-dollar-replica-us-8300212

https://www.americanmint.com/1916-1945-mercury-dime-us-2719617?number=US_2719617

https://www.americanmint.com/1878-1921-silver-morgan-dollar-us-2420113?number=US_2420113

https://www.americanmint.com/1943-walking-liberty-half-dollar-us-2719536?number=US_2719536

https://www.americanmint.com/gold-layered-state-quarters-set-us-2542196

https://www.americanmint.com/1864-1865-two-cent-coin-us-2422201

https://www.americanmint.com/1935-silver-peace-dollar-us-2717515

https://www.americanmint.com/1933-saint-gaudens-gold-double-eagle-colossal-commemorative-coin-us-1710901

https://www.americanmint.com/search?sSearch=bullion+coin

Top Coins to Collect (2024)

FAQs

Top Coins to Collect? ›

American Silver Eagles

The American Silver Eagle is the official investment-grade silver bullion coin of the United States Mint. It is guaranteed for weight, content, and purity by the U.S. government. The American Silver Eagle consists of 1 oz of . 999 fine silver with a face value of one dollar.

What coin is best to collect? ›

Top 10 Coins Worth Collecting
  • 01 of 10. 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent. ...
  • 02 of 10. 1921 Peace Dollar. ...
  • 03 of 10. 1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar. ...
  • 04 of 10. 1914-D Lincoln Cent. ...
  • 05 of 10. 1955/55 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent. ...
  • 06 of 10. 1937-D 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel. ...
  • 07 of 10. 1916-D Mercury Dime. ...
  • 08 of 10. 1917 Standing Liberty Quarter: Type 1.
Mar 24, 2022

What coin is worth collecting? ›

20 Most Valuable Rare Coins to Know About
Year-DateCoin TypeValue
1885Liberty nickel$350+
19373-legged Buffalo nickel$450+
1916-DMercury dime$800+
1901-SBarber quarter$3,500+
15 more rows
Nov 24, 2023

What is the best US coin to invest in? ›

American Silver Eagles

The American Silver Eagle is the official investment-grade silver bullion coin of the United States Mint. It is guaranteed for weight, content, and purity by the U.S. government. The American Silver Eagle consists of 1 oz of . 999 fine silver with a face value of one dollar.

Which coins will boom? ›

Top 10 Cryptos to Invest In May 2024
  • Bitcoin (BTC)
  • Ethereum (ETH)
  • Binance Coin (BNB)
  • Solana (SOL)
  • Ripple (XRP)
  • Dogecoin (DOGE)
  • Polkadot (DOT)
  • SHIBA INU (SHIB)

Which $1 coin is worth money? ›

Coin Market Overview: Highest Selling Prices
TypeMint YearAuction Sold Price
MORGAN DOLLARS 1889 CC $1 MS COIN1889$881,250
Peace Dollar, 1921 Peace MS1921$132,000
EISENHOWER DOLLARS 1776-1976 TYPE 1 $1 MS COIN AUCTIONS1776-1976$28,200
1979-P Anthony Dollar--Overstruck on a 1978 Jefferson Nickel--MS-67 (NGC)1979$15,275
2 more rows
Feb 28, 2024

What is the hardest coin to find? ›

1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin

The one remaining specimen is carefully preserved at National Numismatic Collections at the Smithsonian Institution. The 1849 Double Eagle is currently the rarest and most valuable coin in the world, with an estimated value of around $20 million.

What year is penny worth $20,000? ›

That's what happened to several pennies produced in 1982, which pushed their value up from 1 cent to nearly $20,000. The penny in question is the 1982-D Small Date Copper Alloy Lincoln Cent, which sold at auction in 2016 for $18,800, according to Numismatic News.

What is the most sought after coin? ›

1933 Double Eagle

And here is the world's most expensive coin of all time: the 1933 Double Eagle, worth up to $18.9 million. It sold for this price at auction in 2021, per Smithsonian Magazine.

What rare penny is worth $6000? ›

8) 1922 D Wheat Penny - $6,000. 9) 1914 D Wheat Penny - $5,600.

What quarter is worth $2000 right now? ›

What quarter is worth $2000 right now? The 1932-D Washington quarter had a relatively low mintage of 436,800 pieces, making it one of the rarest in the series. The value of this quarter in higher grades (uncirculated conditions) can significantly exceed $2,000.

How much is a 1964 penny worth? ›

Uncirculated or “mint condition” 1964 Pennies are worth around $1 to $2, while circulated examples are worth around $0.01 or less. A single 1964 D penny can fetch more than $10,000 at auction. According to PCGS, a coin classified as MS68 SMS is worth a staggering $27,500.

What coins should a beginner collect? ›

There are plenty of inexpensive coin sets to collect. The Washington quarter set has more designs to collect than any other coin. There are more than 100 designs, with the 50 States and America the Beautiful quarters. Buffalo nickels and pre-1965 Roosevelt silver dimes are also popular first coin collections.

What is the best coin to buy forever? ›

Bitcoin. Originally launched in 2009, Bitcoin is the world's oldest and most well-known cryptocurrency! As of 2023, Bitcoin has a market capitalization of $500 billion — and is often called 'digital gold'. Fixed supply: There will never be more than 21 million Bitcoin.

What coin is worth a million dollars? ›

1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar

Minted in 1794 and 1795, this rare coin is one of the most expensive coins in the world. It was originally based on the Spanish Dollar, as evidenced by its size and weight.

Which is the best coin to hold? ›

Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin has continuously maintained the largest market capitalization and the strongest liquidity of all cryptocurrencies, which we see as a sign of strong investor confidence. It is traded on virtually all crypto exchanges, making it an attractive option for both individuals and institutions.

What's the luckiest coin to carry? ›

“Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you'll have good luck. This is true around the world too; the US Silver Dollar is often referred to as the 'lucky' silver dollar, while the Japanese five-yen coin is often placed inside a new wallet when given as a gift to wish the receiver good luck.

What is the best coin grade to collect? ›

Superb Gem Uncirculated (MS-67, 68, 69): Exceptional coins with only miniscule imperfections, a lot of “eye appeal” and a good strike. Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70): A flawless specimen, even at 5x-8x magnification. A full sharp rim. This grade seldom applies to anything but modern, specially struck coins.

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