For centuries, coins of all nationalities have often included dates on their designs. Typically, coins include dates on the reverse or “tails” side. This feature may be an interesting but relatively unimportant fact to the average citizen. However, numismatists know there are key dates for all minted coins that can greatly determine the value of otherwise common currency. From quarter to penny key dates, and a few designs in between, discover the most valuable key date coins for collecting.
What Makes Key Date Coins?
While many factors can determine the general value of coins, coins minted during certain key dates can be significantly more valuable than others. Not every coin is inherently more valuable simply because it has existed longer. Rather, there are several reasons collectors can highly covet certain dates. Here are a few particular examples aside from age alone:
- Low mintage – Generally speaking, the more difficult it is to find and obtain a coin, the more valuable it becomes to numismatists and historians. Coins like the 1913 Liberty Head, with only five known coins in existence today have driven an incredibly hefty price tag.
- Historical events – Another common reason designs become key date coins is their minting or circulation during historic events and eras. However, as stated before, this does not automatically mean old is better. Even in today’s age, modern designs celebrating important milestones or commemorating past events can be just as valued.
- Mistakes & errors – There is a common misconception that coin errors automatically equal higher rarity and worth. While most mistakes are fairly common and do not always add additional value, there are a few notable exceptions. Some mistakes, such as the double die errors seen on the 1885 Liberty Head Double Eagle and 1955 Lincoln Cent, are rare enough to fetch a high price.
Notable Key Dates By Coin
- Penny key dates – As a staple of American currency, collectors should note several penny key dates.
- 1944 – Heavily involved in WWII, the US temporarily made an emergency issue to change the composition of pennies away from copper. These zinc-coated steel pennies were unpopular during circulation because they looked too similar to nickels, yet they are now highly valuable.
- 1872 – Indian Head Pennies are rare in today’s society, making this key date worth noting.
- 1955 & 1969 Double Die Pennies – These pennies contain a rare double die error. The government confiscated and destroyed many at the time, making them more difficult to track down.
- Morgan key dates – The Morgan Silver Dollar is a historic design symbolizing the United State’s progress in westward expansion. This design is no longer actively minted.
- 1889 – This coin is rare due to its low mintage, with this particular series only reaching 350,000.
- 1888 – This set contained a double die error, with the problem happening around the nose and mouth of the Morgan bust.
- 1893 – This year is perhaps the most precious of the Morgan key dates. 1893 clocks the lowest mintage of the entire Morgan Silver Dollar series at just 100,000. These coins must be certified due to their rarity and high likelihood of being counterfeit.
- Quarter key dates
- 1932 – While the Philadelphia Mint struck over 5 million quarters that year, the Denver Mint and San Francisco Mint both struck only over 400,000 quarters apiece, making 1932 with either of these two mint designations a key date among collectors.
- 1937 & 1943 – Both of these years contain quarters with noticeable double die errors. The coins in these years are particularly scarce.
- Double Eagle key dates
- 1933 – While all Saint-Guadens Double Eagles are considered prized due to their low mintage from 1907 – 1933, the 1933 edition cannot go without mention. The 1933 Double Eagle was sold at an auction in 2021 for $18.9 million, making this one of the most critical and valuable key date coins in history.
ModernCoinMart: A Resource and a Partner
Whether researching niche information such as Morgan key dates or beginning to collect U.S. proof sets, ModernCoinMart serves as a reliable source for finding and buying coins. Dive into our extensive resources on our numismatist blog, or start shopping for your next coin.
