Coin collecting is often about beauty, history, and craftsmanship, but not every coin is admired for its design.
Some coins are criticized for their awkward artwork, poor engraving, or strange proportions. Over the years, several U.S. coins have gained a reputation for being less than visually appealing.
Here are the 10 ugliest U.S. coins ever minted, along with their history and why collectors find them unappealing.
1. 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal $50 Gold Piece
This commemorative coin was created for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. While historically important, its octagonal shape and cluttered design make it one of the most unusual coins ever minted.
The addition of dolphins around the edges was meant to represent the Panama Canal, but many collectors find the coin chaotic and unattractive.
2. 2000-P Sacagawea Dollar (Experimental Rinses)
The Sacagawea dollar was meant to be a beautiful golden-hued coin, but experimental rinses left many looking blotchy and discolored.
Instead of an elegant finish, some of these coins turned out streaky and dull. To make matters worse, the golden color tarnished quickly, making them look worse over time.
3. 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar
This coin is often called one of the ugliest U.S. coins ever. The small size and silver color made it easily confused with a quarter, frustrating people who used it.
The engraving of Susan B. Anthony’s face appears flat and lifeless, and the reverse design of an eagle landing on the moon lacks creativity.
4. 1916-1945 Mercury Dime
While some collectors appreciate the Mercury Dime, others dislike the obverse design. Many mistake the image for Mercury, the Roman god, when it is actually Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap.
The reverse, featuring a fasces (a bundle of rods) and an olive branch, adds to the cluttered and confusing appearance.
5. 2007-P George Washington Presidential Dollar
The Presidential Dollar series aimed to honor U.S. presidents, but the 2007 George Washington Dollar has been criticized for its stiff and lifeless portrait.
The lack of detail in Washington’s face and the missing edge reeding give it a token-like appearance rather than a dignified U.S. coin.
6. 1808 Capped Bust Half Cent
This early American coin features a strangely proportioned Lady Liberty with exaggerated facial features. The engraving lacks fine detail, and Liberty’s hair appears rushed and messy. Compared to other early U.S. coins, this design feels unfinished and awkward.
7. 1883 Liberty Head Nickel (‘No Cents’ Version)
The original Liberty Head Nickel didn’t include the word “Cents”, leading to confusion and fraud. Scammers gold-plated these coins and passed them off as five-dollar gold pieces. The plain design and lack of denomination marking made it one of the most disliked coins among collectors.
8. 2009 Formative Years Lincoln Cent
Part of the Lincoln Bicentennial series, this coin shows a young Abraham Lincoln sitting on a log, reading a book.
While the idea was meant to honor Lincoln’s early life, the artwork is cartoonish and out of place on a U.S. coin. The lack of background detail and exaggerated pose make it one of the least admired modern cents.
9. 1971 Eisenhower Dollar
The Eisenhower Dollar was too large for everyday use, making it unpopular. The portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower is flat and uninspired, and the reverse, which features a simplified version of the Apollo 11 mission insignia, lacks artistic depth. Many collectors find the coin bland and unattractive.
10. 2010 Hot Springs National Park Quarter
Part of the America the Beautiful series, this quarter depicts a simple fountain in front of a building. While it represents an important landmark, the design is flat and lacks detail.
Many collectors feel it looks more like a token than a commemorative coin, failing to capture the beauty of the national park.
Table – 10 Ugliest Coins Ever Minted in the United States
| Coin | Mint | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal $50 | San Francisco | Up to $100,000+ |
| 2000-P Sacagawea Dollar (Experimental) | Philadelphia | Varies, collectible |
| 1979 Susan B. Anthony Dollar | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco | Face value to $50+ |
| 1916-1945 Mercury Dime | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco | Up to $5,000+ |
| 2007-P George Washington Dollar | Philadelphia | Face value to $5+ |
| 1808 Capped Bust Half Cent | Philadelphia | Up to $10,000+ |
| 1883 Liberty Head Nickel (‘No Cents’) | Philadelphia | Up to $2,000+ |
| 2009 Formative Years Lincoln Cent | Philadelphia, Denver | Face value to $10+ |
| 1971 Eisenhower Dollar | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco | Up to $1,000+ |
| 2010 Hot Springs National Park Quarter | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco | Face value to $50+ |
While many U.S. coins are celebrated for their beauty, some have missed the mark in design. These ten coins have been criticized for awkward proportions, confusing imagery, or uninspired artwork. However, even the ugliest coins have a story and remain interesting collectibles.
Collectors often seek out these unusual coins because of their historical significance, unique errors, or limited mintages. Whether admired or disliked, these coins still hold a special place in U.S. numismatic history.
If you come across one of these coins, take a closer look—it might be worth more than you think.
