Een Discovers Rare $1.8 Million 1970-s Quarter In His Grandpa’s Old Coat Pocket

An Accidental Discovery

A teenager from Oregon has stumbled upon a remarkable piece of U.S. history tucked away in an old coat that once belonged to his late grandfather. Seventeen-year-old Jake Thompson had been helping his family sort through belongings in the attic when he came across a worn-out winter coat. While checking its pockets, Jake discovered something unexpectedly heavy—a coin he assumed was just a bit of old pocket change.

However, when he pulled it out and gave it a closer look, he noticed the coin had an unusual shine and unfamiliar markings. Intrigued, he showed it to his uncle, a longtime coin collector. Immediately, his uncle recognized something special. The coin had a reflective, proof-like surface and strange features that didn’t match typical quarters from 1970. What Jake found was, in fact, a rare 1970-S Washington quarter—later confirmed to be one of the few mistakenly minted over a 1941 Canadian quarter.

This accidental discovery turned out to be anything but ordinary.

What Makes This Coin So Valuable?

The 1970-S quarter Jake found is not a regular mint issue. What sets it apart is that it was accidentally struck over a 1941 Canadian quarter—a rare minting error that wasn’t supposed to happen. These overstruck coins were never officially released to the public and are considered unauthorized by the U.S. Mint, making them especially rare and valuable in the eyes of collectors.

What adds to their appeal is the visual evidence of the mistake: if examined closely, you can see traces of the Canadian coin’s original date beneath the U.S. quarter design. The coin also carries the “S” mint mark, identifying it as having been produced in San Francisco. This unique combination of features confirms its status as a mint error and raises its worth significantly.

Experts in numismatics agree that this specific overstrike is among the rarest known to exist, and its scarcity has made it a prized find. Numismatic specialist Rachel Hill explained that these coins were likely never meant to be circulated, which only deepens their mystery and desirability.

Verified and Valued

Once Jake’s uncle recognized the coin’s potential value, the family submitted it to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) for authentication. The coin was not only confirmed to be genuine but also received a near-perfect grade due to its excellent preservation. This evaluation played a crucial role in its appraised value, which now sits between $1.5 million and $1.8 million.

Although Jake and his family haven’t made a final decision about selling the coin, the discovery has already drawn attention from collectors around the world. Serious offers are reportedly pouring in from those hoping to add this elusive piece to their collections. Jake’s mother expressed disbelief at the situation, saying they never imagined a simple coat pocket could hold something so extraordinary.

The high-grade condition, paired with its historical and minting rarity, makes this coin one of the most valuable Washington quarters ever discovered.

Coin Collecting Community Reacts

The coin’s discovery has made waves across online forums and social media platforms dedicated to coin collecting. Collectors, both amateur and professional, have been abuzz with excitement over the news. Many have commented that finds like Jake’s are exactly why people continue to sort through old family belongings and forgotten change jars.

“This kind of find gives us all hope,” wrote one user on a popular numismatic website. “It shows that valuable coins are still out there, just waiting to be discovered in the most unexpected places.”

For Jake, this experience has ignited a new passion. He has begun researching coin errors and checking his pocket change daily. What started as a simple cleaning chore has now turned into a lifelong interest—and perhaps even a new career path.

Quick Facts About the 1970-S Quarter Error Coin:

Feature	Details
Year	1970
Mint Mark	S (San Francisco)
Error Type	Overstruck on 1941 Canadian Quarter
Estimated Value	$1.5M to $1.8M (depending on condition)
Notable Characteristics	Visible remnants of 1941 Canadian coin beneath

Final Thoughts

Jake Thompson’s rare coin discovery serves as a powerful reminder that history can sometimes be hidden in the most ordinary places. A forgotten coat pocket turned out to contain a multimillion-dollar treasure—proof that valuable collectibles can still be found in homes across the country. His story emphasizes the importance of staying curious and taking the time to investigate even the smallest of clues.

For those with old family belongings or collections gathering dust, now might be the perfect time to take a closer look. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a casual enthusiast, the next rare find could be closer than you think—maybe even sitting in a jar on your shelf or tucked away in a box in the attic.

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