A Rare Nickel From The 20th Century Is Worth A Ton Of Money

Like stamps, coins are a popular collector's item, with many also fetching astonishing sums at auctions. Coin collecting, or numismatics, is a hobby that has captivated many over the years. Whether it's rare gold coins, commemorative designs, or ancient Roman currency, for many collectors, coins are a tangible connection to the past that provide monetary and sentimental value for their owners.

While most of the spare change rustling around in our pockets isn't worth more than its face value, there are exceptions that are worth a few hundred or even thousands of dollars. However, a handful of rare coins have become the holy grail in the collecting world and are highly sought after for their mystery, age, and scarcity. These coins are the most coveted in the world of numismatics. According to Robb Report, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel is perhaps the most famous of them all — an extremely rare coin with a fascinating lore.

The 1913 Liberty Head nickel is one of the rarest coins ever produced, with only five coins believed to have been minted. Over the decades these coins have exchanged hands with the most recent sale occurring in 2022, when it was acquired by Create Collections from a family in Florida for a whopping $4.2 million.

Although five coins were produced, their creation was never sanctioned by the U.S. Mint. They came into existence in 1912 when the Mint replaced the die design of the nickel from the Liberty Head to the Indian Head. In that year, Samuel W. Brown, a U.S. Mint employee, produced five nickels with the outdated Liberty Head design and kept their existence a mystery until 1919, when the statute of limitations for theft of government property and unauthorized use of mint facilities and dies expired. Brown later tried to create some hype for the coins by placing ads in papers, only adding to the coin's lore.

Despite their age and scarcity, all five of the nickels still exist today. Two are held in museums, the American Numismatic Association's Money Museum and the Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection, while the other three are held in private collections.

The 1913 Liberty Head nickel is just one of the many collectible coins worth more than their minted value. Although finding rare coins in your spare change might seem like a long shot, with some knowledge you might find something worth the trouble.

One of the most important things when determining the rarity of a coin is unique features or defects. Even minuscule errors like doubled die coins often sell for thousands of dollars because of their minting blunders. Off-center strikes, repunched marks, and missing details are also signs of rare coins.

Other factors to look out for include the age of the coins. Typically, coins minted before 1960 are more valuable than modern ones. Condition also matters, as well-preserved coins fetch higher prices. Before you go digging through your collection, it is good to research limited edition coins and important minting years to have an idea of what you're searching for.