I Asked ChatGPT Which Coins I Should Never Spend Without Checking First
Have you ever found old coins in a drawer or underneath the couch cushion and wondered if they’re worth anything? Some might be.
Even a seemingly unassuming penny could be worth a small fortune. Take the 1958 doubled die obverse Lincoln penny. It once sold at an auction for $1,136,250 per Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
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While you might not get quite that lucky, you never know what valuable old coins you’ve got tucked away somewhere. But going through dozens or hundreds or coins isn’t always an option. That’s why I asked ChatGPT which coins you should never spend without checking them first.
Here’s what the AI said, and what those coins could be worth.
1909-1958 Pennies
Pennies from the 1909 to 1958 are often valuable. In particular, Lincoln cents from this period could be worth a lot. That 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny is a prime example of that.
Another example is the 1909 V.D.B. matte proof Lincoln penny. It sold for $258,500 about a decade ago.
ChatGPT also pinpointed the following coins as worth double-checking before you do anything else:
1943 penny: The Houston Chronicle reported a 1943 bronze Lincoln cent is so valuable in part because of its material. Most pennies back then were steel, so bronze is a rarity. One coin was valued at over $235,000.
1944 steel penny: If in decent condition, a 1944 steel wheat penny is worth around $101,000, per Coin Trackers. Only 1,000 of these were ever produced, which adds to the value. There’s also a chance that these coins were created in error.
1955 Lincoln cent (doubled die obverse): One of the most famous errors, this coin is also valuable. The regular strike version of this coin once sold at an auction for $32,400, per PCGS.
Newer Lincoln Cents
Not every coin is the equivalent of a down payment on a house. For example, the 1969-S Lincoln cent (Regular Strike) is pretty common, but it’s still highly valued. Its auction record was $4,406.
If you happen upon one of these coins, ChatGPT suggested checking if it’s a genuine doubled die. One such coin, the 1969-S 1C doubled die obverse, RD (Regular Strike), went for $126,500 at an auction.
Two other valuable coins, according to the AI, are the:
1972 Lincoln cent: A 1972 1C doubled die obverse, RD (Regular Strike) holds an auction record of $14,400.
1982 Lincoln cent: Depending on the mint mark and weight, these can be pretty valuable, too. Take the 1982 1C Bronze, Small Date, RD (Regular Strike). This coin sold for $9,988 in 2014.
Signs Your Coins Might Be Valuable
As any true numismatist can tell you, there are so many valuable coins (not just pennies) that are worth a ridiculous amount of money. Since there are too many options to count, your best bet is to look for the signs that your coins might be more valuable than they initially seem.
Before tossing aside or, worse, spending old coins, look for the following:
Doubled lettering or numbers
Abnormal striking (like broadstrikes or off-center strikes)
1879-1909 coins minted with the letter “O” (New Orleans mint)
1870-1893 coins with the “CC” mint mark (Carson City)
Half-dollars from before 1965
Other coins dated before 1965 (including nickels, dimes and quarters)
While older coins are more likely to be valuable, know that they’re not all going to be. Sometimes, an aged coin is simply that — aged. Value is largely derived from rarity, so you could theoretically find a penny from the 1940s that’s not worth all that much. Still, it’s worth double-checking just in case.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice. It was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy. However, AI-generated content may be inaccurate, incomplete or outdated. You should independently verify important information through reliable sources before making any decisions based on this content.
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