Coin collectors don’t necessarily have to go all the way back to the 1800s to discover valuable treasures. Some of these valuable coins are actually from the vibrant 1970s — the decade of disco music and bell-bottoms. Some of these coins have brought five-figure sums of money at auctions.
Many of these valuable coins are not rare due to their age but due to exceptional minting errors or variations that make them distinctive. Surprisingly enough, it is usually the coins with smaller values — such as nickels and pennies — that are revealed to be their most valuable.
Below are six 1970s coins that might make some serious money based on historical auction reports. Their worth is even greater today, however, provided that the coin is in first-rate shape.
1971-S Double Die Obverse Penny – Worth up to $10,350
This coin presents a curious error that occurs when the die stamps the design onto the coin twice, creating a duplicated image. Double die errors are most sought after by just about every coin collector if the coin is in near-mint state.
1974-S penny with reverse Brockage of 1973-S – Sold for $11,400
A reverse brockage happens if a coin features the normal design on one side but a reversed image on the reverse due to a minting error. Such a 1974-S penny, which bore a 1973-S coin’s mirror image on the reverse, was sold for $11,400 in 2020.
1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Struck Over a 1978 Jefferson Nickel – Value: $15,275
This extremely rare coin was accidentally overstruck with a design representing a Susan B. Anthony dollar over a base 1978 Jefferson nickel. Coins with such overstrike errors — particularly with conflicting dates — are extremely rare and valuable.
1971-S Deep Cameo Proof Lincoln Penny – Worth $17,250
Proof coins are specifically produced for numismatists and are not made for circulation. This 1971-S penny is a “deep cameo” proof, with distinctive details and a reflective background, due to which it is a sought-after coin.
1970-S Small Date Penny – Valued up to $18,400
There are two varieties of 1970-S penny that are well known: small date and large date. The small date version is finer, with the “7” in the date resting somewhat higher than the rest. These small distinctions make it a valuable and celebrated discovery among numismatists.
1970-S Large Date Penny With Doubled Die Obverse – Sold for $24,150
While small date varieties tend to be more valuable, this 1970-S large date penny is an outlier. It is a doubled die obverse penny that was produced as a proof coin. Its exceptionally clean state and distinctive features made it go for over $24,000.
Final Tip: When checking your change or sorting through coins in old jars, be on the lookout for these treasures. Even an ordinary penny from the ’70s could end up being a fortune!