7 Valuable 1970s Coins That Could Be Worth $15,000 – See If You Have One

Barred by the belts of political upheaval, disco and bell-bottoms, the decade of the 1970s is also termed as one of the most value-creating decades to the history of American coins. These coins, whether due to minting errors, unique compositions, or limited releases, are now prized possessions for collectors from all over the world.

There are a couple of these coins that have been auctioned and gone over the mark of $15,000, thus making them hidden treasures for anyone lucky enough to observe them. Here are seven coins from the 1970s that have enhanced their worth in the eyes of numismatists around the globe.

1970-S Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Obverse

One of the best-known error coins of the decade is the 1970-S Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse. Minted in San Francisco, this particular error variety exhibits pronounced doubling on the word ‘LIBERTY’ and the date.

This kind of error is when the hub stamps the die several times at slightly different angles, thereby making a raised double image. Because of its rarity, good examples command over $24,000 in auctions, and it is a must-have for serious collectors.

1971-S Lincoln Cent

Another captivating error coin coming out of the early 1970s is the 1971-S Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Obverse. The 1970 version may be a little better known than this one, but the same doubling is present, primarily on the date and lettering.

This one is indeed rare, making it extremely desirable. There are far fewer pieces in existence than the 1970-S cent, so collectors would be willing to pay high prices. Well-preserved examples have sold for over $10,000, and their value continues to increase as they become more sought after by collectors.

1974-S Lincoln Cent (Aluminum)

To find a replacement for copper, the United States Mint began to experiment with other metals in the mid-1970s. As a result, the production of the 1974-S Lincoln Cent occurred in aluminum.

While almost all such experimental coins have been destroyed, a few managed to escape their fates and made it into private hands. These coins, due to their extreme rarity and ambiguous legal status, can now sell for more than $15,000 each; some experts think that an example in perfect condition may even reach six figures.

1976 Bicentennial Quarter

The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter was created in commemoration of America’s 200th birthday and shows a colonial drummer on the reverse. Most of these quarters were produced with copper-nickel but a limited number were made into silver proof versions.

The most expensive versions of this coin incorporate a deep cameo contrast, wherein the design “floats” above a mirror-like background. Some of these quarters with outstanding strike quality or very rare mint errors have been known to sell even for well over $15,000 in auction.

1970-S Proof Half Dollar (No S)

Proof coins are made for collectors and are generally of higher quality than circulation coins. But as luck would have it, this minting error created some 1970-S Proof Half Dollars that had no “S” mint mark.

This error, which may have been caused by running an unmarked die, created one of the major rarities. There are fewer than 50 known to exist, which makes these coins very desirable. Some have sold for over $30,000, putting them high on the list of most valuable modern U.S. coins.

1975 Roosevelt Dime on a Penny Planchet

Minting errors can create very collectible coins, such as the 1975 Roosevelt Dime struck on a penny planchet.

Because of this error, a copper penny blank was accidently fed into a dime press, producing a dime with the weight and size of a penny but the design of a dime. Such errors, given their uniqueness, are known to sell for $15,000 or more without any hint of value degradation, particularly when it looks pristine.

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