Silver dollars have always held a special place in the world of American coin collecting. They’re not just currency—they’re tiny pieces of history, filled with beauty, craftsmanship, and, in many cases, pure silver. But what really makes some of these coins stand out? Mistakes.
That’s right—minting errors can turn an ordinary silver dollar into a collector’s dream, sometimes pushing its value into the millions. From misprints to mismatched designs, these flawed coins are highly sought after because of their uniqueness.
Let’s take a look at 10 of the most valuable silver dollar error coins—ones that could turn up in a collection and make you incredibly wealthy.
1. 1921 Peace Dollar – The High Relief Rarity
The 1921 Peace Dollar isn’t just another silver dollar—it’s a milestone in American coinage, marking the transition from the Morgan Dollar to the Peace Dollar series. But here’s what makes it truly special: a high-relief design that was never meant for regular circulation.
When the U.S. Mint mistakenly used proof dies to strike this coin, the result was a breathtakingly detailed, rare version of the Peace Dollar. In 2023, an MS-65 graded coin sold for $45,000—and it’s only becoming more desirable among collectors.
2. 1878 Morgan Dollar – The 8 Tail Feathers Over 7 Mistake
Ever noticed that eagles don’t change the number of feathers in their tails? Well, apparently, the U.S. Mint wasn’t sure about that in 1878.
Originally designed with 7 tail feathers, the Morgan Dollar’s design was modified to 8 feathers, but traces of the old design remained, creating a fascinating overstrike error. This rare mistake caught the attention of collectors, and in 2022, an MS-66 graded coin sold for $35,000.
3. 1804 Draped Bust Dollar – The King of U.S. Coins
The 1804 Draped Bust Dollar is the holy grail of American coin collecting. Though it’s dated 1804, it wasn’t actually minted until decades later as a special diplomatic gift.
With only 15 known examples in existence, this coin is the ultimate rarity. One of these elusive silver dollars fetched $3.8 million at auction in 2022, cementing its status as one of the most valuable coins in history.
4. 1970-S Eisenhower Dollar – The Missing ‘S’ Mint Mark
Imagine a coin being struck at the San Francisco Mint but missing the ‘S’ mint mark that proves it. That’s exactly what happened with the 1970-S Eisenhower Dollar, an error that makes this coin one of the rarest from the series.
Collectors went wild over this mistake, and in 2023, a PR-69 graded example sold for $50,000.
5. 1922 Peace Dollar – Minted on a Quarter Planchet
The 1922 Peace Dollar is supposed to be a large silver coin, but a few of them were accidentally struck on thinner, smaller quarter-sized planchets. This weird minting error made them stand out—and in 2021, one of these rare coins sold for $40,000.
6. 1976 Bicentennial Eisenhower Dollar – Clipped Planchet Error
This dollar was issued to celebrate America’s 200th birthday, but some of them had an unfortunate flaw—the planchet (the blank metal disc used for minting) was clipped before striking, leaving an incomplete edge.
A collector scooped up one of these rare error coins in 2023 for $25,000, proving that even small mistakes can lead to big paydays.
7. 1921 Morgan Dollar – Double Die Obverse Error
The 1921 Morgan Dollar was part of the last production run for this classic series, but some of them came with a double die error on the obverse. This means certain features—like the word “LIBERTY” and the date—appear slightly doubled, making them unique.
A high-grade example of this error coin sold for $60,000 in 2023.
8. 1964 Peace Dollar – The Coin That Was Never Supposed to Exist
In 1964, the U.S. Mint briefly considered reviving the Peace Dollar, even striking some prototypes. But before they could be officially released, the plan was scrapped, and nearly all the coins were ordered to be melted down.
Yet somehow, a few escaped. In 2023, one of these ultra-rare survivors was auctioned for $250,000.
9. 1974 Aluminum Eisenhower Dollar – A Mint Experiment Gone Wrong
In an effort to create a lighter coin, the U.S. Mint experimented with aluminum Eisenhower Dollars in 1974. The idea was eventually abandoned, and most of the test coins were destroyed.
But a few slipped through the cracks, and in 2022, one of these experimental coins sold for $125,000.
10. 1999-P Sacagawea Dollar / Eisenhower Dollar Mule Error
Ever seen a coin with mismatched sides? That’s what makes mule errors so valuable. In this case, a Sacagawea Dollar’s obverse was mistakenly paired with an Eisenhower Dollar’s reverse.
This bizarre mix-up is one of the rarest U.S. coin errors, and in 2023, a collector paid $150,000 for one of these oddities.
Why Are These Error Coins So Valuable?
You might be wondering—why would anyone pay thousands (or even millions) for a flawed coin? Well, here’s why:
✅ Rarity – These coins exist in extremely limited numbers, making them highly desirable.
✅ Condition – Coins in pristine condition (graded MS-65 or higher) fetch the highest prices.
✅ Historical Significance – Many of these coins are tied to important moments in U.S. history.
✅ Visual Appeal – The unique designs and errors make them stand out in any collection.