Top 5 Rare Coins from the 1960s That Could Make You Rich!

The 1960s marked an important time in coinage history. Many coins from this era are not only fascinating for their designs and historical significance but have also become rare and highly sought after by collectors.

In this guide, we’ll explore five rare coins from the 1960s that have soared in value and could potentially make you rich.

5 Rare Valuable Coins from the 1960s

1. 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar (Silver)

The Kennedy Half Dollar was first minted in 1964, in the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Its introduction was meant to commemorate the beloved president, and it became a popular collector’s item almost instantly.

Key Details:

• Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
• Mintage: 273,304,004
• Current Value: $10 to over $2,500, depending on condition and mint errors.

The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is one of the last U.S. coins made with a significant amount of silver. Although millions were minted, their value has increased due to their silver content and historical relevance. Collectors pay a premium for coins in mint condition or for those with rare mint errors, such as doubled dies or off-center strikes.

Error Examples:

• 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar Double Die: Fetches up to $2,500 in uncirculated condition.

2. 1965 Washington Quarter (Silver Error)

The 1965 Washington Quarter was supposed to be struck using a new copper-nickel composition. However, some coins were mistakenly struck on leftover silver planchets from the previous year’s mintage.

Key Details:

• Composition: Originally intended as 75% Copper, 25% Nickel (Clad), but some struck in 90% Silver.
• Mintage: Over 1.8 billion standard copper-nickel quarters minted.
• Current Value: $7,000 to $10,000 for the rare silver errors.

These error coins are extremely valuable because they represent a transitional period in U.S. coinage. Finding a 1965 quarter struck in silver could net you thousands of dollars at auction.

Error Examples:

• 1965 Washington Quarter Struck on Silver Planchet: Can be worth up to $10,000 in top condition.

3. 1969-S Lincoln Cent (Doubled Die Obverse)

The 1969-S Lincoln Cent is perhaps one of the most famous and valuable penny errors. The doubled die obverse error occurs when the coin is struck twice with the design slightly misaligned, creating a “doubled” appearance on the date and lettering.

Key Details:

• Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Zinc
• Mintage: 544,375,000 (Philadelphia)
• Current Value: $35,000 to $126,500, depending on the condition and error grade.

This particular error makes the 1969-S Lincoln Cent worth considerably more than face value. For example, one uncirculated 1969-S penny with a doubled die obverse sold for over $100,000 in a recent auction.

Error Examples:

• 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse: Can sell for over $100,000 in uncirculated condition.

4. 1960-D Small Date Lincoln Cent

The 1960-D Lincoln Cent has two variations: the “Large Date” and the “Small Date.” While the large date version is more common, the small date variant is rare and highly coveted by collectors.

Key Details:

• Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Zinc
• Mintage: 1,580,884,000 (Denver)
• Current Value: $50 to $7,000 for high-grade small date coins.

Collectors seek out the 1960-D Small Date Lincoln Cent because it was produced in smaller quantities. High-grade examples of this coin can fetch several thousand dollars, especially if they have been well-preserved.

Error Examples:

• 1960-D Small Date Lincoln Cent: Worth up to $7,000 in mint condition.

5. 1966 Roosevelt Dime (No Mint Mark)

In 1966, the U.S. Mint decided not to include mint marks on any coins in an effort to discourage coin hoarding during the coin shortage. However, error coins with no mint mark from this year can be valuable.

Key Details:

• Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
• Mintage: 1,383,890,000
• Current Value: $5 to $12,000, depending on condition and error.

While Roosevelt dimes from 1966 are relatively common, coins in pristine condition without the mint mark can be quite valuable, especially when found in high grades.

Error Examples:

• 1966 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime: Can be worth up to $12,000.

Coin	Year	Mintage	Composition	Value Range
1964 Kennedy Half Dollar	1964	273,304,004	90% Silver, 10% Copper	$10 to $2,500+
1965 Washington Quarter (Silver Error)	1965	1.8 Billion (Clad)	90% Silver (Error)	$7,000 to $10,000
1969-S Lincoln Cent (Doubled Die)	1969	544,375,000	95% Copper, 5% Zinc	$35,000 to $126,500
1960-D Small Date Lincoln Cent	1960	1,580,884,000	95% Copper, 5% Zinc	$50 to $7,000
1966 Roosevelt Dime (No Mint Mark)	1966	1.38 Billion	75% Copper, 25% Nickel	$5 to $12,000

Conclusion

The 1960s was a transformative period for U.S. coinage, especially as the country shifted away from silver coins. However, rare coins from this decade remain highly sought after by collectors, with some fetching tens of thousands of dollars at auction.

Whether it’s a Kennedy Half Dollar, a Lincoln Cent, or a Washington Quarter with a mint error, there’s always the potential for discovering a valuable piece of history in your pocket change.

FAQs

References

• Coin Values – “Silver Content and Value of 1960s Coins”
• PCGS CoinFacts – “1969-S Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Obverse Value”
• CoinWeek – “Rare Error Coins of the 1960s”
• NGC – “Top Coins of the 1960s Worth Collecting”