Pocket Change Market Report
Could your loose change—or that forgotten stack of dollar bills—be hiding hundreds of dollars in value? With major changes coming to U.S. coinage, the market is moving fast, and collectors are paying serious money for the right errors, varieties, and key dates.
In this weekend Pocket Change Market Report, we review real eBay sales from the past few days and show you exactly what to look for, why it matters, and how much these items sold for.
Let’s dive in 👇
🔥 Why the Market Is Heating Up Right Now
With news confirming the end of the Lincoln cent, collectors and investors are scrambling. Prices for:
- Lincoln cent varieties
- Mint errors
- Key dates
- Obscure denominations
are rising faster than expected. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just getting started, searching your pocket change has never been more important.
🧾 Step 1: Check Your Paper Money (Big Money Errors!)
💵 1999 $1 Bill – Misaligned Reverse Print
- What to look for: Reverse design shifted with no registration to the front
- Why it’s valuable: Sheet shifted during printing (not a miscut)
- Sold for: $85
👉 Always inspect front and back alignment on every bill.
💵 1935-E $1 Silver Certificate – Fold-Over Error
- Corner folded during printing and never unfolded
- Dramatic and eye-catching
- Sold for: $130.99 (31 bids)
💵 1985 $1 Bill – Rare Back Plate “129” Error
- Plate number appears in the wrong location
- Only known plate number with this placement
- Sold for: $158.94
⚠️ Often overlooked—even by dealers.
💵 2006 $1 Bill – Grossly Misaligned Overprint
- Serial numbers and seals shifted left
- Third-print process error
- Sold for: $66.60
💵 1988-A $1 Bill – Extremely Rare Board Break Error
- Missing ink with a hard edge
- Caused by damage to the impression cylinder
- Misidentified by seller—but still recognized
- Sold for: $360
📈 Scarcity drives value here.
🪙 Step 2: Hunt Your Coins (Silver, Errors & Varieties)
🥈 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar – DDR (FS-801)
- Strong doubled-die reverse visible without magnification
- Lower-grade example surprisingly sold higher than a nicer one
- Sold for: $324.95
📌 Lesson: Grade still matters—even for rare varieties.
🪙 1958-D Lincoln Cent – Cud Die Break
- Raised metal blob near IN GOD WE TRUST
- Sold for: $35
🪙 1983-P Jefferson Nickel – “Twin Peaks” Cud
- Common but popular among roll hunters
- Sold for: $59
🪙 1864 Two-Cent Piece – Repunched Date (FS-1302)
- Hand-punched digits show strong doubling
- Highly underrated denomination
- Sold for: $58.35
🪙 1977-D Eisenhower Dollar – Minor Clip Error
- Shallow but legitimate mint error
- Sold for: $16.50
💡 Even minor errors can beat face value.
🪙 1922 Peace Dollar – Rim Clip Error
- Silver melt value limits profit potential
- Sold for: $45.74
⚠️ Rising silver prices can reduce numismatic premiums.
🌲 Lincoln “Woodies” Are Still Hot
🪙 1940 Lincoln Cent – Improper Alloy (Wood Grain)
- Still selling strong due to hoarding
- Sold for: $10.95
📊 Prices may rise further as availability drops.
🪙 1968-S Proof Lincoln Cent – Doubled Die Obverse (FS-101)
- Subtle but clear doubling on date & LIBERTY
- Sold for: $50
💰 Pays for multiple proof sets instantly.
🌍 International & Modern Errors
🇨🇦 1996 Canadian $2 “Toonie” – Off-Center Core
- Brass center visibly misaligned
- Scarce bi-metal planchet error
- Best offer accepted near: $550+
🇺🇸 1990-P Kennedy Half Dollar – 25% Off-Center
- Large coin + dramatic error = big value
- Sold for: $230
🧠 Bicentennial versions can exceed $500.
🇺🇸 1993-P Washington Quarter – Double Strike
- Secondary strike ~80% off-center
- Strong eye appeal, heavy bidding
- Sold for: $231.50 (45 bids)
✅ Final Thoughts
The takeaway is clear:
- Check every coin and bill
- Don’t overlook minor errors
- Education = profit
With the Lincoln cent disappearing and collectors buying aggressively, the next big find could already be in your pocket.
Happy hunting—and collect responsibly.
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