Tragically, in 1962, George O. Walton lost his life in a car accident, leaving his possessions to his family.
In 1945, George O. Walton, a collector from North Carolina, acquired a 1913 Liberty Head coin for $3,750
Following his passing, Melva (George O. Walton’s sister) and her husband Robert retrieved the coin from Walton’s estate. Though experts in New York dismissed it as a counterfeit, the family, including Cheryl and her brother Ryan Givens, held onto it.
Melva (George O. Walton’s sister) safeguarded the coin in her closet, labeling it “fake.” Despite being told it was a reproduction, they preserved it for years, passing it down to Cheryl and Ryan. The reason for its preservation lies in the rarity of the 1913 Liberty nickel, with only four genuine pieces known to exist at the time.
After four decades of uncertainty, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and PR specialist Donn Pearlman orchestrated a campaign to locate the last known 1913 Liberty coin. Ryan was approached and eventually agreed to have the coin examined at an ANA show in Baltimore, Maryland.
Finally, after 40 years, its authenticity was confirmed
The siblings then sold the valuable Liberty coin for an astonishing $3.17 million through Heritage Auctions. The proceeds assisted Cheryl in securing a home and paying off her daughter’s student loans.
While Liberty nickels hold substantial value, collectors should also inspect their spare change for valuable Jefferson nickels. Those with full steps, like a 1969-dated one certified by Professional Coin Grading Services in an MS65FS grade, could fetch up to $33,600. Other examples, such as a 1966-dated Jefferson nickel in MS65 grade, have sold for as much as $7,800. Additionally, a 1964 Steps nickel can potentially be valued at $5,000. Lincoln pennies and other circulated coins may also hold significant worth, with some reaching up to $9,477.
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