I’m noticing lots of readers are leaving comments and questions about coins they have which they find interesting — and also don’t cost much money to buy.
In fact, many are still found in everyday pocket change!
While I’ve written several articles here at the US Coins Guide that discuss low-cost coins, I would like to take a moment and talk about the top 10 coins that collectors on a budget are talking about.
These are definitely worth collecting. Most aren’t even that hard to find — and they won’t cost you an arm and a leg either!
#1 – Indian Head Pennies
Indian Head cents are simply way too popular to be overlooked.
The famous Indian Head penny is over 100 years old. Yet, it still can be bought in worn grades for less than $2 to $5 each.
Indian Head pennies were made from 1859 to 1909.
Be sure you look for uncleaned pieces that are not corroded …but don’t clean them!
Indian Head cents are plentiful and make a fantastic, inexpensive addition to any U.S. coin collection.
- Old Indian Head Pennies: What Are They Worth?
- Little-Known Facts About Indian Head Pennies
- Have A White Indian Head Penny?
#2 – Lincoln Wheat Pennies
I think the most common question I’ve seen from our readers has to do with the value of Lincoln Wheat pennies.
In fact, the vast majority of Wheat pennies cost well less than $1 apiece to buy in circulated (worn) grades.
The Lincoln Wheat penny is becoming scarcer as the years go by.
Yet the Wheat penny, which was struck from 1909 to 1958, continues to be one of the most popular, least expensive types of classic American coins.
Wheat pennies have long enjoyed high interest among coin collectors and non-collectors alike!
- See How Much Your Wheat Pennies Are Worth
- 7 Rare Wheat Pennies & What They’re Worth
- The Rarest & Most Valuable Wheat Pennies
#3 – Buffalo Nickels
The iconic Buffalo nickel (also sometimes called the Indian Head nickel) was struck from 1913 to 1938.
It celebrates two classically American symbols: the bison and the American Indian.
Buffalo nickels are often considered “romantic” in their own right and are highly popular.
The Buffalo nickel can be bought for less than $2 each.
This iconic coin serves as a historically and socially important coin for any collector of United States coins.
- All About Buffalo Nickels & Their Current Value
- Dateless Buffalo Nickels / No-Date Indian Head Nickels
- Valuable Buffalo Nickel Errors To Look For
#4 – Mercury Dimes
No, the Roman god Mercury is not the figure on the coin — as many people think. In fact, the profile on the coin is none other than Liberty wearing a winged cap.
Struck from 1916 to 1945, the Mercury dime (also called the Winged Liberty Head dime) is a favorite among coin collectors.
Many older coin collectors can remember finding Mercury dimes in their pocket change — right alongside Buffalo nickels and Indian Head pennies.
In many respects, Mercury dimes are considered one of the “very American” coins that celebrates our nation’s ideal of freedom.
Mercury dimes can be purchased for as little as $3 to $5 apiece.
- The Ultimate Guide To Mercury Dime Values
- Scarce Mercury Dimes & Their Values
- Rare Mercury Dime Values
#5 – Standing Liberty Quarters
Standing Liberty quarters were first minted in 1916 and continued to be made until 1930.
The Standing Liberty quarter saw a few modifications over its rather brief 14-year run.
In 1916, the quarter was first designed with Miss Liberty’s chest bare.
After causing a stir in the public, the U.S. Mint dressed Liberty in a chain mail during 1917 to calm any nerves. There were also some light modifications to the reverse (tails side) of the coin in 1917 — which included moving stars under the flying eagle.
In 1925, the coin was slightly modified so the date would not wear away as quickly as on earlier issues.
The Standing Liberty quarters of 1916-1924 are generally more expensive than those of 1925-1930. Prices for Standing Liberty quarters made during 1916-1924 begin at around $20. Standing Liberty quarters made since 1925 can be had for less than $10 each.
- How Standing Liberty Values Have Changed Over The Years
- Designs & Types Of U.S. Quarters
- How Much Are Silver Quarters Worth?
#6 – Walking Liberty Half Dollars
Considered among the most beautiful of coins ever made, the Walking Liberty half dollar has been popular among collectors and investors for decades.
The Walking Liberty half dollar was struck from 1916 to 1947.
This silver half dollar shows Liberty proudly striding toward a rising sun. The reverse depicts a bald eagle.
Walking Liberty half dollars can be bought for less than $25 apiece.
It’s a coin that most collectors want to add to their collections — especially those who appreciate stunning representations of fine art on coins.
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar Values
- How To Determine The Grade Of Your Half Dollar
- Tips For Collecting Walking Liberty Half Dollars
#7 – Franklin Half Dollars
Alright, Benjamin Franklin was NEVER a U.S. president.
But… his many achievements as one of our nation’s Founding Fathers and his hundreds of influential inventions earned him a spot on the front of our nation’s half dollar from 1948 through 1963.
A complete collection of Franklin half dollars can be easily built, with many of the coins costing less than $30 each to purchase.
- Franklin Half Dollar Values
- What Is A Bugs Bunny Franklin Half Dollar?
- FBL vs. non-FBL Franklin Half Dollar Values
#8 – Kennedy Half Dollars
Many people want to add Kennedy half dollars, which have been minted since 1964, to their coin collections.
You can usually find worn Kennedy half dollars at your local bank. But, if you’re looking for some nice uncirculated Kennedy half dollars, you will have to buy them from a coin dealer.
Uncirculated Kennedy half dollars can be bought for less than $2 each. Even the silver issues from the 1960s can be purchased for less than $25 apiece!
- Kennedy Half Dollar Values
- Tips For Collecting Kennedy Half Dollars
- Most Common, Rarest, And Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollars
#9 – Eisenhower Dollars
When the silver dollar was reintroduced to the public in 1971, after more than 35 years, the late President Dwight Eisenhower was honored with an appearance on the front of the coin.
The Eisenhower dollar was produced for only 8 years, inclusive. Yet, in that short span of time, 32 different regular-issue circulating and proof Eisenhower dollars were made!
Most Eisenhower dollar coins can be bought in uncirculated or proof versions for between $10 each.
- Eisenhower Dollar Coin Errors To Look For
- Blue Ikes vs. Brown Ikes: Diffrence & Values
- Tips For Collecting Eisenhower Dollar Coins
#10 – Susan B. Anthony Dollars
Once the U.S. Mint stopped making Eisenhower dollars in 1978, the Susan B. Anthony dollar took over as our nation’s dollar coin in 1979.
Smaller than previous dollar coins, the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin was often confused with the U.S. quarter and was quickly phased out in 1981.
The need for new dollar coinage brought about the return of the Susan B. Anthony dollar for one year, in 1999.
Susan B. Anthony dollars can be bought in uncirculated grades for $2 to $3 apiece. Typical proof versions cost between $5 to $7 each.
- Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin Values
- Tips For Collecting Susan B. Anthony Dollars
- Susan B. Anthony Dollar Errors To Look For
READ NEXT: 7 Complete Coin Sets You Can Build Under $10 Total!
Leave a Comment