Summer holidays are a great time to relax, travel, and explore new places. But what if you could also make a small fortune while on vacation—just by keeping an eye on your spare change? It might sound unbelievable, but many travellers have found rare foreign coins in their pockets, change trays, or markets, which turned out to be worth thousands—sometimes even hundreds of thousands—of pounds.
If you’re travelling abroad this summer, make sure you check your coins carefully. Here are nine of the rarest and most valuable foreign coins you might come across while travelling—some of them could be hiding in plain sight!
1. 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle (USA)
This Article Includes
- 1 1. 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle (USA)
- 2 2. 2007 $1 ‘Wavy 4’ Coin (Australia)
- 3 3. 1983 Two Pence Coin (UK)
- 4 4. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny (USA)
- 5 5. 1955 Double Die Penny (USA)
- 6 6. 2008 Undated 20p Coin (UK)
- 7 7. 1992 Close AM Penny (USA)
- 8 8. 1997 Hong Kong Bauhinia $1 Coin Error
- 9 9. 2005 Liberty Head Nickel (USA)
- 10 What to Do If You Find a Rare Coin
- 11 Why Are These Coins So Valuable?
- 12 Final Thoughts
Estimated Value: Up to £275,000+
This is one of the rarest coins in the world. Although 445,000 of these $20 gold coins were minted, almost all were melted down after President Roosevelt banned private gold ownership in 1933. Only a few survived—and one of them sold for over $18 million in 2021. While finding one casually is next to impossible, it still tops the list for its value.
2. 2007 $1 ‘Wavy 4’ Coin (Australia)
Estimated Value: Up to £2,000
If you’re heading to Australia, keep an eye out for this rare $1 coin from 2007. The number “4” in the year looks wavy instead of straight. This minting error makes it extremely valuable among collectors. Tourists have accidentally spent or received this coin in change, not knowing its worth.
3. 1983 Two Pence Coin (UK)
Estimated Value: Around £1,400
You might already know about the famous 1983 ‘New Pence’ two pence coin. Most 2p coins from this year say ‘Two Pence,’ but a small batch was mistakenly struck with the old ‘New Pence’ label. If you’re holidaying in the UK or come across British coins, this is one to look for!
4. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny (USA)
Estimated Value: Over £100,000
During World War II, the U.S. used steel for pennies to save copper for the war effort. But a few were mistakenly struck using bronze instead. These bronze 1943 pennies are extremely rare, and if you come across one in a coin stall or souvenir shop, you could be looking at a serious payday.
5. 1955 Double Die Penny (USA)
Estimated Value: £800 to £2,000+
This U.S. penny has an obvious doubling of the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.” Tourists in North America might not realize its value because it looks like a regular coin at first glance. But collectors will pay big money for this double die error.
6. 2008 Undated 20p Coin (UK)
Estimated Value: £50–£100+
If you’re in the UK this summer, watch out for this special 20p coin. A batch of coins minted in 2008 accidentally missed the year stamp on both sides. It’s Britain’s first coin without a date in over 300 years, and collectors are still hunting for it.
7. 1992 Close AM Penny (USA)
Estimated Value: £1,500+
The letters A and M in “America” on the back of this penny are closer together than usual. It’s a small detail, but this minting variation is rare and valuable. These coins were mixed in circulation, meaning it’s very possible to find one in change during a U.S. holiday.
8. 1997 Hong Kong Bauhinia $1 Coin Error
Estimated Value: £500–£800
If you’re visiting Hong Kong, check your $1 coins. In 1997, a few were struck with errors like missing strokes on Chinese characters or misaligned designs. These are not well-known to the general public, which means they might be passed along casually in local shops.
9. 2005 Liberty Head Nickel (USA)
Estimated Value: Up to £2 million
Only five of these Liberty Head Nickels from 1913 are known to exist, but a modern 2005 version was also produced with experimental finishes. If you happen to find a Liberty Head Nickel during your U.S. trip, it’s worth getting it checked—it could be one of the extremely rare ones.
What to Do If You Find a Rare Coin
If you think you’ve come across a valuable coin during your travels, here’s what you should do:
- Don’t spend it! Keep it safe and don’t use it for purchases.
- Research the coin online using trusted coin collector websites.
- Compare it with verified images to check for errors or rare features.
- Take it to a local coin expert or get a professional appraisal once you’re home.
- Join a coin-collecting forum or group for feedback from other enthusiasts.
Why Are These Coins So Valuable?
Coins become valuable either due to:
- Minting mistakes (called error coins)
- Limited circulation
- Historical value
- Unique design features
Since most of these coins were produced by accident or in very limited quantities, collectors are willing to pay a premium for them.
Final Thoughts
Summer holidays aren’t just about beaches, food, and sightseeing—they can also be about unexpected treasure. Whether you’re heading to Australia, the U.S., the UK, or even Hong Kong, it’s worth taking a quick look at the coins in your pocket or wallet. A simple coin could be your lucky ticket to thousands—maybe even lakhs—without you even knowing it.