Miami Valley Coin Club

The Most Valuable “Common” Coins to Collect

Lincoln Wheat Cents:

These were minted from 1909-1958 and are worth at least $1, or 100 times their face value.

Indian Head (Buffalo) Nickels (1913-1938):

Most well-worn and dateless Indian Heads (Buffalos) are still worth $1 each. Well-worn Buffalos with dates are usually worth $2 or more. Even at only $1 each, that’s 20 times face value.

Jefferson War Nickels (1942-1945):

These nickels, minted during World War II, contain 35% silver. At worst they are worth $1.30 each (melt value). That’s 26 times face value. These nickels are sought out due to their silver content.

Mercury Dimes (1916-1945):

Silver dimes are ALL valuable, Mercury dimes are especially so. Although not very commonly found in circulation any more, if you find one, keep it. Even in worn condition, if they have a date, they can be worth $4-$5 dollars each. That’s 400-500 times their face value. Their melt value is $1.67 each (almost 17 times face).

Roosevelt Dimes (1946-present):

Pre-1965 silver Roosevelt dimes, with a date, are usually worth at least $3 each (300 times face). Not a common find in circulation these days, they are sometimes found and like Mercury dimes, have a melt value of $1.67 each.

Silver Washington Quarters (1932-1964):

Well-worn silver Washington quarters are still worth between $6-$10 dollars. Melt value of a silver quarter is $4.17. That’s 24-40 or 16 times face respectively.

Collecting only by date and mintmark isn’t the only way to collect coins. Pick one or more of the coin series above and collect simply for value alone.