5 Ultra-Rare 1970s Coins Worth Over $10,000 – Hidden Treasures You Might Own

Have you ever rummaged through your loose change and wondered whether any of those coins could be worth more than face value? Well, when it comes to 1970s coins, some of the rarer examples could be worth a small fortune! While most people view pennies and dimes as mere everyday money, coin collectors are aware that some of the rarer types from the disco era can sell for more than $10,000 at auction.

It’s finding a diamond among the usual pebbles it might happen, but not for just anyone! The 1970s may seem like only recent history, yet coins dated from that time are rapidly proving more and more precious to numismatists.

In their peculiar minting faults, unusual variations, and restricted output, such coins are undiscovered riches potentially residing in your jar of coins, piggy bank, or pocket money. Let’s dive into the five most valuable 1970s coins that could turn your spare change into a major windfall.

What Makes 1970s Coins So Valuable?

Before we explore our top five list, it’s important to understand what factors can transform an ordinary coin into a numismatic treasure worth thousands. The value of a 1970s coin depends on several key factors:

Minting Errors: Mistakes during the production process, such as double dies, brockage errors, or wrong planchets, can create unique variants that collectors covet.
Condition: Well-preserved coins in “mint state” or “proof” condition are worth significantly more than those showing wear and tear.
Rarity: The fewer examples that exist, the more valuable a coin becomes.
Special Variations: Small differences in design, date size, or mint marks can dramatically increase a coin’s value.
Consider these elements ingredients in a recipe for numismatic gold. The more of these ingredients a coin possesses, the more valuable it is.

Although discovering one of these scarce specimens is admittedly a long shot, it’s not out of the question—these coins are still in circulation almost 50 years after they were produced!

The Top 5 Most Valuable 1970s Coins

Now, let’s see the top five most valuable 1970s coins that have fetched significant prices at auction and might even still be in circulation.

1. 1970-S Large Date Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

The gem of 1970s pennies is certainly the 1970-S Large Date Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent. This error coin was produced when the die that struck the coin stamped the design twice at slightly different angles, resulting in a doubling effect that can be seen on the lettering and date.

What makes this coin so special is that it combines both the doubled die error and the large date variety. In mint condition, these pennies have graded a whopping $24,150 at auction. The doubling is most visible in the “LIBERTY” word and date, especially in the “19” of 1970.

2. 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent

Another extremely valuable penny in 1970 is the small date variation of the San Francisco Mint. This coin contains a smaller “7” within the date, which is positioned slightly higher than the rest of the digits. Even though it appears to be somewhat of a negligible difference, this variation is substantially rarer compared to the Large Date variation.

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In mint condition, these Small Date pennies have sold for as much as $18,400 at auction. It’s akin to discovering a unique typo in a first edition book a tiny thing that makes a huge impact on value!

3. 1971-S Deep Cameo Proof Penny

The 1971-S Deep Cameo Proof Penny is the finest of minting art. These proof coins have a mirror-like field with raised, frosted design pieces that produce an incredible visual effect.

The term “Deep Cameo” is used to describe the outstanding contrast between the frosted pattern and the mirror-like field. These coins were never intended for circulation but were minted just for collectors. In mint condition, they’ve brought as much as $17,250 in auction.

4. 1974-S Reverse Brockage of 1973-S Lincoln Cent

One of the most interesting minting mistakes is the brockage mistake, where a coin that has already been struck adheres to the die and transfers its design to the subsequent coin. The 1974-S Reverse Brockage of the 1973-S Lincoln Cent is a great example of this uncommon mistake.

This coin bears the standard obverse (front) design, but the reverse (back) features a mirror image of the 1973-S cent’s obverse. It’s almost like having a photographic negative engraved into metal! Because of its unusual error, these coins sold for as high as $11,400 in auction.

5. 1971-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

Finishing our top five is the 1971-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent. Just like its 1970 cousin, this coin shows doubling in the obverse design, easily noticed in the date and lettering.

Although not as famous as the 1970 version, this coin is still much prized by collectors. These pennies in top condition have sold for more than $10,350 at auction, so they are a valuable discovery for any serious collector or coin aficionado.

Coin	Key Features	Record Sale Price
1970-S Large Date Doubled Die Obverse	Doubling visible in “LIBERTY” and date	$24,150
1970-S Small Date	Smaller “7” that sits higher in the date	$18,400
1971-S Deep Cameo Proof	Mirror-like background with frosted design	$17,250
1974-S Reverse Brockage of 1973-S	Mirror image of 1973-S cent on reverse	$11,400
1971-S Doubled Die Obverse	Doubling visible in lettering and date	$10,350

How to Identify These Valuable Coins

Now that you know what you’re searching for, here’s how to tell if you may have hit numismatic paydirt:

Use Proper Magnification

Some of the worthwhile features on these coins are hidden and must be magnified to find. An appropriate coin loupe or jeweler’s magnifying glass of 5x to 10x magnification will be needed to detect doubled dies and other minute details.

Inspect for Mint Marks

The “S” mint mark identifies coins struck at the San Francisco Mint, where most of these worthwhile varieties were created. On 1970s Lincoln cents, the mint mark appears on the front (obverse) side, under the date.

Compare to Reference Images

In seeking doubled dies or differences in date size, it is useful to have reference images to compare. Most numismatic websites and books contain close-up photos of these unusual varieties.

Assess the Condition

Coin condition has a great impact on value. Descriptors such as “good,” “fine,” “extremely fine,” and “mint state” indicate varying degrees of preservation. Whether you have a rare date or error, its condition will play a great role in its value.

Conclusion

The hunt for 1970s rare coins is an adventure that beckons both collectors and hobbyists alike. One may never expect to find one of these valuable coins, but it’s never out of the question the coins are still out there, waiting to be discovered in jars of coins, collections, or even in circulation.

The five scarce coins we’ve discussed the 1970-S Large Date Doubled Die, 1970-S Small Date, 1971-S Deep Cameo Proof, 1974-S Reverse Brockage, and 1971-S Doubled Die are some of the most valuable coins of modern-day America, valued between $10,350 and $24,150 in pristine condition.

Next time you’re digging through coins from years past or counting your change, keep a close eye out for any pennies minted in the 1970s. You never know that modest one-cent coin could be worth a fortune! And even if you don’t get rich, the thrill of the chase and the sense of history make collecting coins a worthwhile pursuit in itself.