14 Old Coins Worth Huge Money Even Though They’re No Longer in Circulation

You can find many old, valuable coins in museums and private collections. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get lucky and find an old valuable coin, even one that is no longer in circulation.

There are some coins still in circulation, meaning you might find one in your pocket change that is valuable. For example, a 1969-S Lincoln double die cent is worth about $25,000. But for this list, we will focus on the old coins that aren’t in circulation.

We researched Gainesville Coins, a precious metal dealer with a team of professional numismatists with over ten years of experience in collectible coins, to determine which old coins, no longer in circulation, are worth a lot of money. Most are in private collections or museums. But it’s still interesting to know what some of the rarest, most valuable coins are.

1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar

Many experts believe this was the first silver dollar the US Mint struck. The front of the coin features Lady Liberty with hair flowing, and the reverse features an American eagle.

Fewer than 1,800 of these coins were minted, and it’s estimated there are only about 130 remaining. The last time this coin sold at auction was in 2022, and it sold for a massive $12 million.

1804 Draped Bust Dollar

This is one of the rarest American coins and one of the most popular. There are three versions of this coin, and there are only about 15 coins of all versions left in museums or collections.

The value of each version varies slightly. But if you’re lucky enough to find one of these super rare coins, it could be worth up to $3 million.

37-41 AD Roman Empire AV Aureus Caligula

The front of this gold coin, or the obverse, features the head of Caligula, and the rear, or reverse, features the head of Augustus. It also features the lettering: C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT COS.

It was minted by the Roman Empire in Lugdunum, Gaul, what is now modern-day Lyons in France. This coin is extremely rare and worth more than $25,000.

1787 Brasher Doubloon

This coin was minted in New York City by gold and silversmith Ephraim Brasher. The obverse features a state seal with a rising sun. The reverse features an American eagle and a shield.

This coin has a few variations, but all have sold for an exorbitant price. In 2011, a version with Brasher’s signature on the breast sold for almost $7.4 million. Other versions have sold for up to $9.36 million over the past few years.

1787 Fugio Cent

This coin, also called the Franklin cent,  is thought to be the first coin circulated in the United States. On the obverse, there’s a sun and sundial with the Latin word “fugio.” The bottom of the coin says, “Mind Your Business.” The reverse features the saying “We are one” and 13 chain links to symbolize the first 13 US states.

The Fugio cent isn’t worth as much as the first few coins we mentioned. However, extremely rare variants in good condition could sell for up to $10,000.

1343 Edward III Florin

This coin is incredibly rare, with only three believed to still exist. The British Museum holds two of the coins, and the third was found by a collector with a metal detector in 2006. Showing that finding a super rare coin is possible occasionally.

The obverse of this coin showcases King Edward III seated on the throne, flanked by leopard heads on either side. The Royal Cross is featured in a quatrefoil on the reverse side. The coin was found in 2006 and sold for about $850,000 at auction. It’s now estimated to be worth almost $7 million.

723 Umayyad Gold Dinar

This rare Islamic coin was struck from gold mined in a location owned by the caliph. It is marked with “mine of the commander of the faithful,” and it is the first Islamic coin to mention a Saudi Arabian location.

Experts believe 12 of these coins are still in existence. In 2011, one coin sold at auction for about $6 million, the second most expensive coin ever sold at auction.

1793 Chain AMERI Cent

Chain cents were the first coins mass-produced by the US Mint. Over 36,000 were produced between February and March 1793. It features the Liberty Head on the obverse and various chain designs on the reverse.

Although many of these coins were minted, they are quite rare today. In good condition, the 1793 chain AMERI cent is worth around $5,000.

1825 Russian Silver Ruble Pattern

The 1825 Russian silver Ruble is a silver coin featuring a portrait of Constantine on the obverse and a double-headed eagle with a crown set within a wreath on the reverse. It is a milled coin engraved by Jacob Reichel.

This is an extremely rare Russian coin, as it was never mass-produced or circulated. It’s estimated that only about 8 of these coins exist, and they are valued at about $3 million a coin.

1894-S Barber Dime

This is one of the rarest US coins, with only 24 minted at the San Francisco Mint. Some believe they were minted as gifts for important bankers, while others believe an annual audit of the mint showed a discrepancy of $2.40, which is why the coins were struck.

Whatever the reason for the low amount of coins minted, the rarity makes them highly collectible, which drives up their value. 2007 one of these coins sold at auction for $1.9 million.

1913 Liberty Head Nickel

This coin was produced in limited quantities, unauthorized by the US Mint, and was replaced in February 1913 by the Buffalo nickel. It’s believed there are only 5 of these coins left in existence.

In 1972, one of these coins became the first to sell for over $100,000. It was in 1996 when another item sold for over $1 million for the first time. In 2010, one sold at auction for $3.7 million.

1933 George V, Penny

In 1933, the British Royal Mint paused the production of pennies because a surplus was already in circulation. However, according to the Royal Mint Museum, a few pennies were still struck, as many builders put complete sets of dated coins under the foundations of new buildings.

Three of the 1933 pennies were struck and packaged in sets for this purpose. Others were struck and kept for the British Museum and the Royal Mint. It’s believed there are only about 7 of these coins left today, and the coin is valued at about $80,000.

1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

In 1933, about 445,500 Saint-Gaudens double eagles were struck, but they were never put into circulation, and most were ordered to be melted down. Today, it’s believed that only about 13 coins are left in existence.

Only one of these coins is privately owned, and it’s valued at about $7,500,000. A lot more than its original value of $20.

1849 Liberty Gold Coin

The 1849 $20 gold dollar is one of the most valuable coins in the world. If not, the world’s most valuable. It’s made from 90% gold and 10% copper. It’s believed that several of these coins were struck, but the only one whose location is known today is one in the Smithsonian Institution.

Before 1849, the highest denomination of gold coins was $10, and the $20 gold coins resulted from the California gold rush. No 1849 Liberty gold coin has ever been put up for sale at auction. But the coin is valued at around $15 million.

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You don’t have to be a collector or hoarder to have several valuable things in your home. We all accrue many items over the years, some of which could be worth money. Even some everyday household items can be valuable, especially to collectors.

To help determine whether any of your household items are valuable to collectors, we’ve assembled a list of 18 everyday items you likely have in your house. Check out this list and see if any of your items are ready to be turned into money.

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