Start by inspecting the obverse side of the coin, paying attention to the date and mint mark (the letter signifying where the coin was minted, most commonly “D” for Denver, “P” for Philadelphia or “S” for San Francisco). Scan the surfaces of a coin for mistakes. If you are willing to scrutinize your coins more closely, there are more treasures to be found. What to look for: An error on some coins with images of George Washington or John Adams (both issued in 2007) eliminated the lettering on the rim. But in 2007, the Mint started making a series of dollar coins to honor deceased US presidents and imprinted the date, mint mark and motto along the rim instead of the front or back. For nearly 60 years, the motto “In God We Trust” has been required on US coins. What to look for: Some half-dollars made in 19 at the Denver Mint and in 19 at the Philadelphia Mint lack the initials. He was permitted to place his initials, FG, just to the right of the eagle’s tail. Engraver Frank Gasparro designed the reverse of this coin, which features the presidential coat of arms. Kennedy half-dollar with missing initials.Other versions have additional trees in different parts of the landscape. What to look for: In one version of this coin, an extra evergreen tree is floating in the air. The coin’s reverse side features a line of evergreen trees along a pristine lake. This is a play on the state’s nickname, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” because collectors have so far found more than 50 different versions of this coin with unique mistakes. 2005 Minnesota quarter of 10,000 mistakes.What to look for: The quarter commemorating New York sometimes displays a double image-two George Washingtons on the obverse (heads) side and two images of the Statue of Liberty on the reverse side. Although they are not very old, these coins are prized by collectors for their variety of mistakes. Starting in 1999, the US Mint began minting a series of quarters with commemorative features from each of the 50 states on the reverse side. 2001-P double Statue of Liberty New York State quarter.What to look for: 1982 dimes with no mint mark. Dimes produced at the Philadelphia Mint never carried a mint mark-a letter indicating where they were made-until 1980, when a small letter “P” was added on the lower right just above the date to signify Philadelphia. In the valuable version, an engraving mistake makes it look as if a spear bisects the bison’s back and stomach. 2005-D Jefferson nickel with a bison.The middle word in “E Pluribus Unum” on the reverse side of the coin is spelled “Pluridus.” Estimated value: 50 cents to $25. 1964-D Jefferson nickel with misspelled motto.A doubling during the minting process gave Abe Lincoln’s engraved portrait an extra earlobe. Look for noticeable doubling in the inscriptions “Liberty”…”In God We Trust”…and/or the date. If any aren’t attracted, you may have a very valuable find. Helpful: Hold a magnet up to your 1943 pennies. That year, the US Mint switched to making pennies from zinc-coated steel instead of 95% copper/5% zinc and tin, but by mistake some copper pennies still were made, and those may be worth $25,000 to $100,000, or even $2 million in pristine condition.
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