Coin collectors don’t need to go back a hundred years to uncover hidden treasures—many valuable finds are hiding in the disco-filled decade of the 1970s. Some U.S. coins from that era are now worth thousands on the collector’s market, with top examples reaching five-figure price tags.

Many of the most valuable coins from the ’70s feature errors or unique traits that make them stand out. Surprisingly, it’s often the lower denominations—like pennies and nickels—that fetch the highest prices.

The following six coins from the 1970s could earn you a hefty payout. These values come from past auction results and may be even higher in today’s 2025 market. Keep in mind: a coin’s condition plays a major role in its final value.

Here are six retro coins that could bring in serious cash—if you know what to look for.

1971-S Doubled Die Obverse Penny – $10,350

Double die errors happen when a coin’s design gets struck more than once by the die on either side—front (obverse), back (reverse), or both. This process creates a sharper image and sometimes a slightly off-kilter appearance.

Coins like the 1971-S with clear double die errors in near-mint or mint condition usually sell for a premium.

1974-S Reverse Brockage of 1973-S Penny – $11,400

This Lincoln penny sold for $11,400 at Heritage Auctions in 2020. What makes it so special? It’s a brockage error—a rare mistake where one side shows the correct image, while the other side displays a mirrored imprint of the design.

In this case, the 1974-S penny features a normal Lincoln image on one side, and a reversed 1973 design on the back—caused when the die got stuck during minting.

1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar Over 1978 Jefferson Nickel – $15,275

This striking error features Susan B. Anthony’s portrait stamped on top of Monticello, the design used for Jefferson nickels. Overstamp errors are rare, but this one is especially unusual because it involves coins from two different years.

Collectors love these kinds of mistakes for their uniqueness and the story they tell.

1971-S Deep Cameo Proof Penny – $17,250

Proof coins aren’t made for general circulation—they’re specially struck as presentation models, known for their flawless detail and finish.

This Lincoln penny is a “deep cameo proof,” meaning it has a highly polished background with frosted design details. Described as a “superb proof,” it sold for a whopping $17,250.

1970-S Small Date Penny – $18,400

This rare version of the 1970-S penny features a “small date,” which looks more delicately stamped than the large-date version. According to Dave’s Collectible Coins blog, you can spot the difference by looking at the number “7”—on small-date pennies, it doesn’t line up as evenly with the rest of the digits.

Coins with this subtle variation in high-grade condition have sold for as much as $18,400.

1970-S Large Date Penny – $24,150

While small-date coins usually command more attention, this large-date 1970-S penny is a standout. It’s a doubled die obverse proof in excellent condition, which significantly boosts its value.

As noted by LoveToKnow, it fetched $24,150 because of its rarity and top-notch minting quality.

These six coins prove that even seemingly ordinary pocket change from the 1970s can hold incredible value—especially when mint errors or rare traits come into play. Keep an eye out when digging through old coin jars or inherited collections. That dusty penny might be worth far more than face value.

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