Coin Collecting Blog | Trusted Coin Collectors | L&C Coins

The Barber coins, named after their designer Charles E. Barber, are a sought-after series of collectible coins recognizable for their identical iconic design. Barber dimes, quarters, and half dollars are a testament to the craftsmanship and artistry of the United States Mint. But the Barber coinage series is more than just a collection of beautiful objects — it represents a unique moment in US history. This coin saw the turn of the 20th century, the birth of the modern era, the Spanish-American War, and an era of peace that ended at the same time as the coin with America’s entrance into the War to End All Wars.

With only a handful of rare exceptions, these iconic coins had high mintage, which means they aren't too hard to track down in circulated condition. And with just 25 years of minting, curating a complete Barber coin collection is actually quite feasible. In this guide to the series, you’ll learn more about Barber dimes, quarters, and half dollars, including their rich history, key dates, and rare varieties.

Some of the same US nickels that could only buy a piece of candy or an ice cream cone at one time in history are worth millions of dollars today. But what turns an everyday nickel into the one of the world's rarest and most valuable?

Whether you're looking to expand your own knowledge as a coin-collecting connoisseur or hoping to discover one of these rare coins in your piggy bank, let’s explore eight of the rarest nickels ever minted in the US!

1. 1937-D Buffalo Nickel – Three Legs

The 1937-D Buffalo nickel is one of the rarest and most famous error coins of the 20th century. This now ultra-valuable die variety was created when a worker attempted to repair and perfect the surface of a coin die by polishing it. However, they over-polished the surface, removing most of the buffalo's front leg and some of the details of the back leg. Only the hoof of the buffalo can still be seen on the ground. While collectors should be aware of altered counterfeits, authentic 1937-D nickels can be worth quite a lot. In 2015, one was sold for $88,125.

United States pennies are undoubtedly a history-rich, all-American coin. They have been well-utilized and cherished throughout numerous iconic periods of American history. With so many rare and valuable penny varieties, oddities in existence, these small coins are endlessly interesting to collect. 

There are a wide variety of ways that the most rare pennies came to be so rare. Some were minted during a low-mintage year, with only a few thousand ever being produced. Some feature an error or unique intended or unintended characteristic from the minting process. In this blog from L&C Coins, we’ll explore seven of the most rare pennies available on the market today — the pennies worth more than a penny!