You’ve probably heard the age-old advice, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but the same principle applies to money. Not all currency is created equal. From misprints and limited editions to coins and notes that have fallen out of circulation, a world of collectibles can turn ordinary currency into something far more valuable. So, take a closer look at your wallet—could you be carrying something worth more than its face value?
1. In God We Rust Kansas Quarter
I’d like one of these just for the amusement value; however, this misprint is due to a machine error. While they can fetch up to $100, coin valuers suggest that if you look hard enough, you may easily spot one as they were pretty common.
2. Extra Space Penny – The Wide AM
This pretty penny could earn you up to $500. There is a very subtle extra space between the A and the M in the word “America.” In 1999, around 400 Lincoln Memorial one-cent coins were released into circulation. They’re better known to collectors as the “Wide AM.”
3. Double-Died Lincoln Penny
These coins in circulation, distinguished by their characteristic blurred lettering and numbers on the reverse, have the potential to fetch a staggering $2,000 each. In 1955, the Philadelphia Mint released as many as 24,000 double-die pennies into circulation, so you may spot one of the lucky ones any day now.
4. Solid Serial Number Bills
Rare as a gem, notes with serial numbers of identical digits are scarce, with only one in 11 million bills featuring this distinctive detail. If you receive one in your change, hold on to it because it could get you up to $4,500.
5. Consecutive Serial Number Bills
Much like the Solid Serial Number Bills, these notes—known in currency collector circles as “Ladder Notes”—are extremely rare. They refer to notes with numbers such as 1234567 printed on them. If you find one, you might be able to add $5,000 to your bank account.
6. Sacagawea Dollar Coins, aka Cheerios Dollars
The Sacagawea dollar, introduced in 2000 and minted selectively from 2002 onward, had a unique tie to General Mills. In a collaboration, one in 2,000 Cheerios boxes contained an early-strike Sacagawea dollar. Around 5,500 coins were distributed and are in circulation. They can fetch between $5,000 to $25,000.
7. The Double-Died 1969 Lincoln
One lucky person earned over $126,000 when they discovered one of these rarities in a roll of 50 pennies. The 1969-S doubled die cent gained notoriety when discovered in 1970, coinciding with scammers producing counterfeit versions. This overlap of genuine mint errors and fake attempts added a unique twist to the coin’s history.
8. 1902 Alaska $5 Note
This Alaskan banknote hails from the iconic Klondike Gold Rush era. It represents one of the earliest $5 bills the First National Bank of Fairbanks issued. While you may not receive one of these within the change from your coffee, you may know of someone who happens to have some old cash stashed somewhere. Their estimated value is between $5,000 and $15,000, but some have sold for much more.
9.1982 Roosevelt Dime
Typically, U.S. coins bear mint marks such as P for Philadelphia, S for San Francisco, D for Denver, or W for West Point. In 1982, around 150,000 Roosevelt dimes were issued without any mint mark, giving them a collector’s value of $300.
10. 2004 Wisconsin State Quarter
In 2004, the Denver Mint mistakenly released thousands of Wisconsin state quarters featuring an error. There are two varieties featuring an extra cornstalk leaf. One has the extra leaf low, while the other has the leaf high, poking out of the cheese wheel. These could fetch between $50 and $300.
