That cluttered junk drawer or old coffee can of change could be hiding a serious payday. Rare pennies from the 1940s, early wheat cents, silver quarters and quirky mint errors have all surfaced in ordinary homes and sold for thousands of dollars. If you take a closer look at the coins you have lying around, you might discover that what looks like pocket change is actually a small fortune waiting to be cashed in.

1) The 1943 Copper Penny

The 1943 Copper Penny is a classic junk-drawer legend because it was never supposed to exist. During World War II, the United States switched to Steel cents, so any 1943 cent struck on copper was a mistake. Reporting on valuable household finds notes that rare pennies from the 1940s, including this wartime error, can fetch thousands when they surface in drawers and jars, and some estimates put a genuine 1943 copper example at up to $100,000 if authenticated in top condition.

If you spot a 1943 date on what looks like a normal brown cent, the stakes are high enough to justify professional grading. Use a magnet first, since Steel cents from 1943 are magnetic while copper is not, a distinction highlighted in coverage of how Steel cents differ from earlier issues. Because counterfeits are common, any coin that passes the magnet test should go straight to a reputable dealer or grading service, where a confirmed 1943 copper strike can move from forgotten change to life-changing asset.

2) Wheat Pennies from the Early 1900s

Wheat Pennies from the early 1900s, especially the 1909-S VDB, are exactly the kind of small, overlooked coins that end up in junk drawers. Experts point out that key-date wheat cents have sold for up to $10,000 when collectors compete for high-grade examples, and the 1909-S VDB is a prime reason why. One detailed history of these coins notes that the 1909-S VDB penny had only 484,000 minted, making it one of the lowest-mintage Lincoln cents ever and a constant target for serious buyers.

Because wheat cents circulated for decades, you can still find them mixed into inherited coin jars or old desk trays. Look for the initials “VDB” on the reverse and the “S” mintmark under the date, and separate any early 1900s pieces for closer inspection. Even common dates can bring a premium over face value, but the rarest issues, authenticated in high grade, can transform a dusty coffee can of pennies into a five-figure windfall.

3) Silver Washington Quarters Pre-1965

Silver Washington Quarters minted before 1965 are another sleeper hiding in household stashes. Coverage of valuable household clutter explains that silver quarters from the 1960s, often tossed into drawers or jars, are worth significantly more than face value because of their metal content. Any Washington quarter dated 1964 or earlier is 90 percent silver, and reports on collectible home finds note that these pre-1965 pieces often exceed $5 per coin in typical circulated condition, even before considering rare dates or mintmarks.

For you, that means every old quarter deserves a quick date check before it goes into a parking meter. A handful of pre-1965 pieces from a forgotten change bowl can easily add up to triple-digit melt value, and better-preserved coins can sell for more to collectors. When silver prices rise, these quarters become even more attractive, turning what once felt like spare change into a small but meaningful bullion hoard.

4) The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is the ultimate junk-drawer fantasy, a coin so rare that only five are known to exist. Reporting on high-value everyday items notes that this single date has auctioned for over $3 million, making it one of the most valuable coins on the planet. The coin was struck with an outdated Liberty Head design after the Buffalo nickel had already debuted, which is why any genuine example is treated as a numismatic miracle.

While the odds of finding one in your home are microscopic, the story underscores why it pays to check old nickels before spending them. Many families inherit small coin accumulations without realizing what is inside, and even a less dramatic rarity can be life changing. If you uncover an unfamiliar design or a Liberty Head nickel with a 1913 date, expert authentication is essential, because the difference between a novelty replica and a multimillion-dollar original is enormous.

5) 1969-S Lincoln Penny with Double Die Obverse

The 1969-S Lincoln Penny with Double Die Obverse is a modern error that can hide in plain sight. Household-value reporting highlights that double die error coins from 1969, often mistaken for ordinary change, can be valued at $50,000 or more when the doubling is bold and the coin is in high grade. On this variety, the date and inscriptions on the front show clear, doubled impressions, a striking mint mistake that collectors aggressively pursue.

Because the coin looks like a normal cent at a glance, you might have one sitting in a jar or desk organizer without realizing it. A separate listing for a 1969 S Lincoln Cent describes the piece as copper with a 0.95 fineness and featuring the Lincoln Memorial, details that remind you how specific the diagnostics can be. If you see strong doubling on “LIBERTY” or “IN GOD WE TRUST,” stop spending and seek a professional opinion, since a confirmed double die can rival a luxury car in value.

6) Mercury Dimes from 1916-1945

Mercury Dimes from 1916 to 1945 combine silver content with classic design, which is why they often exceed $100 in good condition. Coverage of everyday items that turn out to be valuable notes that these silver-based dimes from the 1920s to 1940s, with their detailed “Winged Liberty” portrait, routinely sell for more than their face value when collectors find sharp examples. Even heavily circulated pieces carry intrinsic value because of their silver, while key dates and mintmarks can command much higher prices.

Many people inherit rolls of old dimes or discover a few Mercury pieces mixed into modern change, especially when cleaning out older homes. Sorting by date and mintmark, then checking for better-preserved coins, can quickly separate bullion-value pieces from potential standouts. For you, that means a small pile of tarnished dimes in a drawer might represent several hundred dollars, particularly if a scarce 1916-D or other low-mintage issue is hiding in the stack.

7) Pre-1938 Buffalo Nickels

Pre-1938 Buffalo Nickels are another coin that often surfaces in junk drawers, especially in older houses. Reporting on hidden household valuables notes that Buffalo nickels minted before 1938, with strong designs and full horn detail on the bison, have reached $20,000 at sales for pristine examples. Collectors pay a premium for coins where the date is fully readable and the buffalo’s features are sharp, since many circulated pieces wore down quickly.

When you sort through old nickels, set aside any with the Native American portrait and standing buffalo reverse. Even common dates can bring more than face value if the design is crisp, and better dates or mintmarks can climb into four- or five-figure territory. Because these coins were popular keepsakes, they often linger in family collections, turning a forgotten cigar box of nickels into a surprisingly valuable mini-portfolio.

8) 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter is a low-mintage first-year issue that can transform a random drawer find into a major payday. Experts on valuable everyday items emphasize that early Standing Liberty quarters from 1916, which are significantly scarcer than later dates, are prized at $5,000 or more by collectors when found in attractive condition. The coin’s elegant depiction of Liberty and its short production run make it one of the standout rarities in twentieth-century U.S. coinage.

Because the design changed quickly and the date is small, many people do not realize what they have when they see a worn Standing Liberty quarter. If you uncover one, check the date carefully and avoid cleaning it, since harsh polishing can slash its value. A genuine 1916 example, authenticated and graded, can rival a used car in price, proving that even a single quarter from a junk drawer can be financially significant.

9) Indian Head Cents from 1859-1909

Indian Head Cents from 1859 to 1909 are classic attic and drawer discoveries that can be worth far more than a penny. Coverage of valuable old household items notes that Indian Head pennies from the 1800s, even when tarnished, can appraise for $1,000 to $10,000 depending on date and condition. Scarcer years and mint-state examples are especially sought after, since many of these coins saw heavy circulation and survived with significant wear.

When you encounter a copper cent with the Native American headdress design, separate it from modern change and check the date. Early issues and coins with strong detail deserve professional evaluation, particularly if they come from an old family hoard. One guide to unexpected finds in older homes even asks what you should do with the pennies in your coin jar, underscoring that small-denomination coins can be among the most lucrative unexpected things hiding in plain sight.

10) 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel

The 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel is a famous mint error that turns an ordinary-looking coin into a six-figure prize. Reporting on valuable everyday items explains that this unique variety, where one of the buffalo’s legs appears missing due to overpolishing of the die, has sold for $100,000 or more in recent auctions. Collectors pay a premium for well-struck examples where the missing leg and other diagnostics are clear, since the error was quickly corrected at the Denver Mint.

To spot one in your own change, examine any 1937-D Buffalo nickel and look closely at the front legs of the bison. If one leg seems to vanish into the field and other details match known diagnostics, you may have uncovered a major rarity. Guides to things in your home that could be worth a lot of money, including coins, stress that such errors can lurk in ordinary accumulations, so a careful check of every Buffalo nickel is a smart move before you roll it up or spend it.