You could have a collectible coin in your pocket change that might be worth hundreds of dollars
To encourage budding coin collectors, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) – the world’s largest nonprofit organization devoted to coin collecting – launched Treasures in Your Pocket, an innovative website resource that provides information to anyone embarking on a numismatic treasure hunt. Treasures in Your Pocket highlights the initial “coin hunting” steps for beginners to take, preparing them to recognize the subtle nuances and variations of a collectible coin.
It can be difficult recognizing the difference between ordinary pocket change and a collectible coin, but the opportunity still exists to find something rare or unique. Treasures in Your Pocket provides hobbyists with specific strategies and information for spotting collectible coins in spare change, and offers a gateway to the broader world of collecting. For instance, in 2014, a collector discovered a 1969-S Lincoln penny in his pocket change. Upon further inspection, he realized it was a rare doubled die cent (a secondary image that is stamped on the coin). The value of his find? $19,800.
“Treasures in Your Pocket empowers new collectors to find real treasures hiding in their pocket change,” said Sam Gelberd, the ANA’s numismatic educator. “It’s not always easy to find these treasures – coin hunting requires a lot of patience, but reading this information will prepare collectors to recognize a great find when the opportunity presents itself.”
Sorting through heaps of coins with the hope of finding something rare or unusual has long been a staple coin collecting activity. Searching is multi-generational, in that grandma and grandpa can do it with their grandkids. And it’s low-investment; the only cost incurred is the face value of the coins that are saved. Really, the only investment is the time to search through spare change.
