If you’re chasing the Dollar General Penny List and you’re into coins, there’s a smart two-for-one play in 2025: use Tuesday penny drops to snag clearance items and check your change at checkout for valuable circulation finds like W-mint quarters and wartime silver nickels.
Below is the latest on how penny shopping works now, plus the real coin types turning pocket change into profit.
How the Dollar General Penny List works right now
- Weekly timing: Markdown cycles continue to hit Tuesdays, with lists commonly updated early in the week. Scouting on Tuesday morning (and rechecking by afternoon if registers lag) remains the move. Use the DG app to scan and confirm an item rings $0.01 at your specific store.
- What a “penny item” is: These are discontinued/clearance products the store intends to pull from shelves; if they’re missed and still out, they typically ring up at $0.01. Experiences vary by store, but deal trackers note cashiers generally complete the sale if the item scans at a penny. Don’t ask staff to help find penny items; quietly scan and go.
Pro tip: Scope categories that were 90% off in the prior week—those often penny the following Tuesday.
Coin finds in your change that can be worth real money
Even if the penny list doesn’t include coins, your change might. Here are the biggest winners to watch for when you pay at DG (or anywhere):
- 2019–2020 “W” mint mark quarters (West Point): The U.S. Mint seeded 10 million “W” quarters in 2019 (2 million of each design). In 2020, another 10 million were released (again, 2 million of each of five designs) — the 2020 issues carry the special “V75” privy mark for WWII’s 75th anniversary. Typical raw prices range from about $8–$30, with graded pieces higher. Look for the “W” below IN GOD WE TRUST on Washington’s bust.
- Dramatic mint errors: Off-center strikes, double-struck pieces, and especially mules (mismatched obverse/reverse dies) can be huge. The famous 2000-P Sacagawea dollar/Washington quarter mule has realized five and six figures at auction, with a $194,062.50 record in 2024. More common, visually strong errors frequently sell in the $100–$200 range.
- Wartime silver nickels (1942–1945): Nickels with large mintmarks over Monticello (P/D/S) have 35% silver. At today’s metals, the melt alone is roughly $2.15 per coin (fluctuates with spot).
Quick reference table
| Target | What to look for | Where to spot it | Typical value range* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2020 “W” quarters | W mint mark at right of Washington’s neck; 2020s also show V75 privy | Any quarter in change; coin rolls | $8–$30 raw; higher in Mint State (some issues $100+ graded) |
| Dramatic mint errors | Clear off-center, double-strike, wrong planchet; 2000-P Sacagawea/Quarter mule | Any denomination in change | Common strong errors $100–$200; rare mules up to $194,062.50+ at auction |
| Wartime silver nickels (1942–45) | Big mintmark over Monticello; grey-silver tone | Nickels in change, coin jars | Melt around $2.15 each as of Aug 2025 (numismatic value can be higher) |
*Values vary by condition, market demand, and grading.
Action plan for Tuesday penny runs + coin checks
- Pre-game Monday night: Review the latest penny list and note UPCs.
- Scan in store: Use the DG app to verify $0.01 pricing at your chosen location; avoid asking employees.
- Pay cash when possible: More coins back means more chances to spot W-quarters, silver nickels, or errors. Confirm W or V75 on quarters before they hit the coin jar.
- Bag winners fast: Keep coin flips or small zip bags handy; protect high-grade finds from pocket wear to retain value. (Grading/prices escalate quickly with condition.)
The Dollar General Penny List remains one of the most entertaining bargain hunts of 2025—especially when you combine it with savvy coin hunting at the register.
Nail the Tuesday timing, scan with the DG app, and always eyeball your change for W-mint quarters, wartime silver nickels, or a show-stopping error. One lucky find can turn a penny run into a serious collector payoff.
