Coins to Check Before Spending: A Quick Screening Guide

Before you drop that handful of change into a vending machine or tip jar, take a second look. Certain coins in everyday circulation — error coins, key dates, silver coins, and unusual varieties — are worth significantly more than face value. This quick guide tells you what to check before spending your change.

What This Means

Certain coins that circulate at face value are actually worth more to collectors. Error coins, coins with silver content, key dates with lower mintages, and unusual varieties all deserve a second look before they are spent at face value.

What to Look For

• Pre-1965 dimes, quarters, and half dollars — these are 90% silver
• Pennies from 1982 and earlier — copper composition worth more than face value
• Any coin that looks off-center, clipped, or oversized
• Coins with visible doubling on dates or lettering
• State quarters with unusual reverse features
• Any coin that feels heavier or lighter than normal

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Spending silver coins at face value — pre-1965 silver coins have significant metal value
• Not recognizing copper pennies from zinc pennies by appearance
• Ignoring coins that "look different" without examining them
• Spending coins without checking the date
• Not separating unusual-looking coins for later examination

What Affects Value

Even a 10-second check of your change can save you from spending a coin worth many times its face value. Silver coins alone are worth many times face value for their metal content.