Is it worth it to sort through the coins you get as change in the hope you will find one that’s rare and valuable?

Sorting through your change is a good practice, because you never know what kind of coins you will find. I make it a habit to put my change on my dresser, and sort through it to find any “treasure”.

I also take the surplus coins to the local coinstar machine, and exchange them for gift cards (no upcharge – so I can feed my Starbucks habit with my excess change)!

While I don’t have any expectation that I will find a rare million dollar coin, I do find many nice pieces for my collection, some of which I give to my grandson. Mostly all are in circulated or worn condition:

strike it rich with pocket change
strike it rich with pocket change, from Amazon Books
  • Wheat pennies, of all ages
  • Old nickels, and occasionally old buffalo nickels
  • solid silver dimes, quarters, and the occasional Half dollar.
  • assorted foreign coins, of all ages and denominations.
  • I also look at my bills, as I often find error bills, two dollar bills, and some really old bills.

You also develop a healthy interest in coin collecting, as you learn which coins may have value, and which ones to toss in the coinstar Jar.  For example, almost any coin minted in 2009 is worth more than face value, as 2009 was a “low mintage” year – so Coins don’t have to be ancient to have value!

2 lbs of coins on Amazon
Not getting any pocket change during the pandemic? Don’t Despair – you can buy old coins on Amazon and eBay!

If you are a visual person, take a look at this board on Pinterest, To get an idea of what coins to look for.

Sometimes I wonder what coins have passed through my hands that might have been exciting, had I looked….

Is it worth having a coin collection?

If you get some pleasure from it, yes! Otherwise, you need to question why you have a coin collection.  Many people inherit coins, save them as souvenirs, or keep them as lucky talismans, or are given them by relatives and friends.  If your collection has meaning or sentimental value, then it most definitely will be “worth it” to keep.

Strike It Rich with Pocket Change: Error Coins Bring Big Money
Books on Coin collecting, from Amazon

Some collections will appreciate in value, especially if you add to them. (like owning every coin in a series, as opposed to owning one or two). Other coins may be common and not have much value-at the present time, but possibly in the future.

Coin Collecting: Learn How to Start Your Very Own Coin Collection Including Gold, Silver and Rare Coins
Another Title on How to Collect Coins, From Amazon Books.

If your goal is to profit from your coin collection, that takes some research into the coin values of your coins, and the hope that they may increase in value over time.

Coin collections can also be a part of your retirement plan and your estate, and can be left to your heirs as part of your legacy.

There are several books on the subject, if you are planning on leaving your coins to your heirs, It might be smart to leave a copy of this book with it. (Book from Amazon)

You can get display cases for your coins, and hang them on the wall or on a tabletop.

Coins can be real conversation pieces, so enjoy them (if you have not sold them or used them to buy your hatpin collection or Pez dispensers).

Thanks for the Question!

You can get Coin collecting supplies on eBay, and Amazon!