There are extremely rare versions of the coins you carry in your pockets every day. We're talking pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters worth way more than you think due to anomalies like minting errors and discontinued materials. But you'll never notice these valuable coins if you don't know what to look for. Luckily, we're here to help...
Wide AM Penny
Typically, a Lincoln Memorial penny features the word "America" with the 'a' and 'm' close together. However, if you find yourself a penny where 'a' and 'm' are wider spaced than usual, you might be able to net yourself as much as $500.
Extra Leaf Wisconsin Quarter
See that stalk of corn on the Wisconsin state quarter? It's normally supposed to have one leaf hanging on the left. But some quarters were printed with one extra leaf -- some a little high, and some a little low. These can get you $1100 of genuine cheese.
Speared Bison Nickel
In 2005, a Texan woman named Pamela Ryman-Moi found a recently minted buffalo nickel with a curious error. There were sharp scratches on top of the bison, making it look as though it was "speared". She sold some for more than $100, and if you find some, you can, too.
2008 Undated 20p
For our British readers (or travelers across the pond), be on the lookout for 20p coins with no date printed. These come from a rare batch in 2008 where, for whatever reason, "2008" didn't make it on the coin. You could make up to 9,000 pounds -- or $11,500 USD -- for one of these rarities.
Silver Quarter
From 1964 on, the US Mint stopped using silver in their production of quarters. But before that fateful year, all quarters were produced with 90% silver. And if you find one, it could earn you up to $65. Not a bad return investment.
Steel Penny
In the mid-40s, the USA was trying to save copper to help the WWII effort. So they began printing pennies, usually in copper, in a silver, metallic looking steel. These can net you up to $6 if you find one.
Silver Dime
Like quarters, the US Mint printed dimes with 90% silver before 1964. If you find one of these sterling FDR-pieces, you can earn a little over a buck. Doesn't sound like much, but it's definitely more than 10 cents.
Godless Presidential Dollars
"In God We Trust"? Not these coins. The 2007 presidential dollar coins were accidentally printed without the typical saying on the front, nor with the date on its side (notice the middle coin in this picture with the proper date). Cash value for these varies wildly, from $40 to $600.
No Mint Dime
Normally, every dime has an 'S' printed on it, as a signifier of its official minted status. But some "no S" dimes, originally just produced as proofs, wound up in circulation. And if you find one, you could nab up to $25,000.
Lincoln Wheat Penny
In 1958, the US Mint changed the design of pennies to the now-familiar Lincoln Memorial on the back. But until then, it had a descriptive "One Cent" typeface, alongside two stalks of wheat. If you find one of these, you could earn up to $1,000.
In God We Rust Quarter
"In God We Trust"? Not these coins. Thanks to a manufacturing error, some of the state quarters produced have the first 'T' in "Trust" obfuscated, resulting in the ominous phrase, "In God We Rust". If you find one of these cryptic coins, you can net up to $5.
Double Ear Lincoln Penny
Wait, wait, did President Abraham Lincoln have two ears? In fact, no. But according to these erroneously printed pennies, he certainly appears to. And if you can find one, the sound of $230 can be music to your double ears.
Double Die Penny
No, you don't need 3D glasses to look at this penny correctly. Some rounds of pennies were accidentally "double dyed", meaning a coin is struck twice with its imprinted messages. As you can see, it results on two layers not quite on top of each other. Double the layer, grab yourself up to $275.
Dollar/Quarter Mule
Sacagawea dollars look golden. Washington quarters look silver. But in 2000, a "mule" occurred. A regular quarter was struck with a Sacagawea dollar finish, resulting in a "golden quarter" with the Sacagawea's back. This mule can earn you up to $155,000.
Ben Franklin Half Dollar
Normally, the half dollar coin features President John F. Kennedy. But from 1948 to 1963, a fifty-cent piece featured Mr. Kite-Flyer himself, Benjamin Franklin. If you see one of these in yoru bifocal lenses, you could earn up to $15.
Aluminum Penny
In 1974, the US Mint proposed a penny made predominantly of aluminum, rather than copper, to offset the rising costs of coin production. About 1.5 million were printed, but ultimately not put into circulation. Except -- some of them made their way into people's pockets. And if you find one, it could net you a cool $1 million.
Australian 2000 1/10 Mule
In the year 2000, some Australian dollar coins were accidentally fused with properties of their 10 cent coin -- another mule circulated. As you can see, the coin in question has a thicker rim than usual one dollar coins. If you find one, you can toss up to $3,000 on the barbie.
1990 No Mint Penny
In 1990, some pennies were printed without an 'S', the usual signifier for official US Mint coins. Some of these are normal, as the Philadelphia mint just didn't print them with an 'S' that year. But if you find yourself a San Francisco proof (clues include shiny surfaces and a clearly defined Abe), you could get up to $3,000.
1971 No Mint Nickel
In 1971, some Jefferson nickel proofs were accidentally struck without the typical 'S'. If you get one of these lucky coins in your change, you can sell it for up to $5,000. Which will likely help you with your own declaration of independence.
1964 Special Mint Set
In 1965, the US Mint was thinking of a special new finish for coins. So in 1964, they printed some proofs showing off the smooth renderings, sharp details, and square edges. If you get one of these proof of concept coins, you could sell them for up to $5,000.
JFK Accented Hair Half Dollar
John F. Kennedy is, arguably, the hottest president. And in 1964, his widow Jacqueline wanted that reflected in his coin's design, asking for an increase in detail in his hair. The change didn't stick, though, and now if you find one of these rarities, you could earn up to $20,000.
1943 Copper Penny
As stated before, the US Mint tried shifting pennies to aluminum in the mid-40s for WWII conservation. But approximately 40 copper pennies produced in 1943 exist. And if you get one of these, you can exchange it for up to $82,000.
1999 Broadstruck Quarter
In 1999, some Connecticut state quarters were printed with a curious error. A dent occurred, not unlike what would happen in a car post-fender-bender, in a process called "broadstriking". If you find this worn and torn quarter, you could find yourself $4 richer. Kind of a nice lesson: Sometimes it's our imperfections that make us more valuable.
New Pence
In 1982, England removed the phrase "New Pence" from the back of their coins, favoring just "Pence". But in 1983, some pence coins were accidentally struck with "New Pence". These coins, while technically errors, are now worth up to 1,700 pounds, or $2,200 USD.
Kew Gardens 50p
In 2009, England produced a special 50p coin to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens, a notable London location. These coins have become incredibly rare, and can earn you up to 1,000 pounds, or $1,300 USD.