You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

A number of 2005 Kansas state coins minted in Philadelphia were incorrectly imprinted with the motto “In God We Rust” as a build-up of grease in the die meant the 'T' didn't print. These so-called 'error coins', which are in circulation right now, are worth anything up to $100 apiece depending on their condition.

[Lee Stewart]

It's always a good idea to check the serial numbers on the bills in your wallet or purse. Fancy serial numbers command surprisingly high prices. By way of example, so-called repeater and super-repeater notes with serial numbers that replicate the same one, two or three digits sell for up to $160 on eBay and similar auction sites, and sometimes fetch significantly more.

[Lee Stewart]

Keep your eyes peeled for misprints. They can range from bills with incorrectly-colored seals and orientations that are off to upside down or double-printed serial numbers. This 2006 dollar bill featuring a double-printed serial number sold recently on eBay for just under $200. The weirder the misprint, the more valuable the note is likely to be.

[Lee Stewart]

There's a likelihood this coin could show up in your change, so look out for it. All US coins should have a mint mark, be it P for Philadelphia, S for San Francisco, D for Denver, and W for West Point, but a relatively large number of 1982 Roosevelt dimes were released without a mark. If you spot one that lacks a mint mark next to the year stamp, it could be worth up to $300.

[Lee Stewart]

While rare and seldom used, the $2 bill remains in circulation, though relatively few are printed. They aren't worth much more than their face value apart from pristine red seal notes that were issued in 1928. These crisp immaculate bills fetch decent prices at auction – a particularly fine example sold recently on eBay for just under $380.

[Lee Stewart]

As many as 50,000 Wisconsin state extra leaf quarters were issued accidentally by the Denver Mint in 2004. Two error varieties exist: the low leaf variety, which depicts an arched leaf jutting out sideways on the reverse of the coin; and the high leaf version, which shows an additional leaf poking out of the cheese wheel that touches the corn husk leaf. They are worth up to $400 each, so if you find one in your change make sure you hang onto it!

[Lee Stewart]

An estimated 20,000 examples of the 1972 doubled die pennies slipped through the net, many of which are still in circulation. One of the most common minting errors, doubled die coins are created when the die imprints a misaligned image on the coin, giving the lettering and numbers a blurry look. The fuzzy effect is pretty pronounced on these one cent coins. They are worth up to $500 each.

[Lee Stewart]

Another type of fancy serial number bill, a 'star note' features an asterisk (or star) at the end of the serial number. These notes are printed to replace faulty ones and, since no two serial numbers can be the same, the asterisk is printed at the end of the serial number instead of a letter. Most aren't worth a lot more than their face value, but the most valuable fetch up to $500 so if you find one make sure you don't spend it.

[Lee Stewart]

In 1999, the Philadelphia Mint issued around 400 Lincoln Memorial pennies with a definite space between the A and M in the word “AMERICA” on the reverse of the coin – this is what you should look out for. The other coins issued have virtually no space between the letters, which look like they are touching. The so-called 'Wide AM' coins are now worth up to $500 apiece.