Prior to 1965, quarters, dimes, and half dollars in the United States were made of 90% silver. While these coins have largely been removed from circulation, it's still possible to find them in pocket change.
Lincoln Wheat pennies, produced from 1909 to 1958, are highly collectible. Some years and mint marks are rarer than others, making them valuable to collectors
Minted from 1913 to 1938, Buffalo nickels feature a Native American on the obverse and a buffalo on the reverse. Certain dates and mint marks are more desirable to collectors
During World War II, nickel was needed for the war effort, so the composition of Jefferson nickels changed. Coins minted from 1942 to 1945 contain 35% silver, making them valuable to collectors for their silver content.
Mistakes made during the minting process can result in error coins that are rare and valuable. Examples include double strikes, off-center strikes, and coins with missing or doubled elements.
Occasionally, foreign coins find their way into circulation outside of their country of origin. Some foreign coins are valuable due to their metal content or rarity.
Special commemorative coins are sometimes released into circulation to celebrate events or anniversaries. These coins may have limited mintages and can be valuable to collectors.