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Thyroid cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the country. It can occur at any age and affects both men and women. While it is a relatively rare cancer, it is essential to be aware of its signs and symptoms so that it can be diagnosed and treated early. This article will cover the causes, signs, diagnosis, risk factors, treatment options, prevention, and support resources for those dealing with thyroid cancer.

Introduction to thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is a kind of cancer that originates in the thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped organ located at the bottom of the neck. The thyroid is a unit of the endocrine system, which produces hormones that regulate several critical bodily functions. In thyroid cancer, abnormal cells in the thyroid rapidly divide and form a tumor.

There are other types of thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. The most common type is papillary thyroid cancer, which makes up about 80 percent of all thyroid cancers. Follicular thyroid cancer is the other most common type, making up about 10 percent of cases.

Causes of thyroid cancer
There are several risk factors may increase a person’s chances of developing the disease. These include a family history of thyroid cancer, exposure to radiation, specific genetic syndromes, and a food regime high in iodine.

A family history of thyroid cancer increases a person’s risk for the disease. If a person has a parent, sibling, or close relative with thyroid cancer, their risk of developing the disease is higher.

Radiation exposure is also a risk factor for thyroid cancer. People who, in the past, have had radiation therapy to the neck or chest may be at an increased risk, as well as those who have lived in areas with high environmental radiation levels.

Specific genetic syndromes can also increase the risk of thyroid cancer. These include familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an inherited condition that increases the risk of various cancers, multiple endocrine neoplasias (MEN) syndromes, and genetic disorders that can cause various endocrine tumors.

Finally, regularly eating foods high in iodine can also increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Iodine helps the thyroid produce hormones, and too much can lead to an overproduction of hormones, which can cause tumors to form.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer
The most prevalent symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump or nodule in the neck. These lumps are usually painless and can be felt through the skin. Other symptoms of thyroid cancer include difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, a persistent cough, and voice changes.

In some cases, there may be not be any symptoms at all. This is why knowing the risk factors and getting regular check-ups to screen for the disease is essential.

Diagnosis of thyroid cancer
If a person has symptoms that suggest they may have thyroid cancer, they will usually undergo a physical examination, imaging tests, and a biopsy.

During a physical examination, the doctor will feel for lumps or nodules in the neck. They may also order imaging tests such as an ultrasound or CT scan to get a better look at the thyroid and surrounding tissues. The doctor will usually recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis if a lump or nodule is found. A tissue sample is taken from the thyroid during a biopsy and sent to a lab for testing. This is the only way to diagnose thyroid cancer definitively.

Risk factors for thyroid cancer
As mentioned above, there are several risk factors for thyroid cancer. These include a family history of thyroid cancer, exposure to radiation, specific genetic syndromes, and a food regime high in iodine.

Other risk factors include being female and having a weak immune system. Women have more chances to develop thyroid cancer than men, and those with a weakened immune systems are more likely to develop the disease.

Treatment options for thyroid cancer
The treatment of thyroid cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease. Surgery is recommended as the first line of treatment, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery is used to remove the cancerous cells from the thyroid gland. Depending on the type of cancer, the entire thyroid may need to be removed or just part of it. Radiation therapy kills any cancerous cells that may remain after surgery. It can also reduce the size of tumors and relieve symptoms.
Chemotherapy kills cancer cells that may have spread to other body parts. It is usually used in combination with other treatments.

Prevention and early detection of thyroid cancer
The best way to prevent thyroid cancer is to know about the risk factors and get regular check-ups to screen for the disease. Those with a genetic history of thyroid cancer should be vigilant and screened regularly.

In addition, limiting exposure to radiation and avoiding iodine-rich foods can help reduce the risk of developing thyroid cancer.

If you experience thyroid cancer symptoms, it is crucial to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Early detection is critical for successful treatment.

Coping with thyroid cancer
Diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer can be a complex process. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and scared. It is very vital to remember that you are not alone, and many resources are available to help you cope.

Speaking to a trusted friend or family member can be a relieving way to express your feelings and get support. You can also join a support group or talk to a mental health professional.

Support resources for thyroid cancer
There are many support resources available for those diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) offers a variety of resources and support groups for those dealing with the disease.

The Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association (ThyCa) is another excellent resource. They offer information, support, and guidance to those with thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is a relatively rare but severe type of cancer. It is very crucial to know about the signs and symptoms and get regular check-ups to screen for the disease. If you are diagnosed with the condition, it is advisable to check out potential support therapies to help deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of the disease.

Hyperkalemia is characterized by increased potassium levels in a person’s bloodstream. For optimal health, maintaining adequate potassium levels is essential. Managing hyperkalemia by following a nutritious meal plan can help with this. As hyperkalemia can be deadly, it must be treated immediately after being diagnosed to prevent its symptoms. Below is a list of some of the nutritious foods that have helped lower potassium levels and some potassium-rich foods to avoid for managing hyperkalemia.

Hyperkalemia
Potassium is an essential nutrient, but excess potassium in the body can lead to conditions like hyperkalemia. It can cause serious heart problems, so it is crucial to be familiar with all the details of the conditions. Hyperkalemia symptoms are typically mild and non-specific and thus easy to miss. Muscle weakness, tingling, nausea, and numbness are the usual symptoms of the condition. When the potassium levels are high, one may experience shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart palpitations. Since sudden hyperkalemia can be life-threatening, it is better to seek immediate medical care if the symptoms arise.

Causes of hyperkalemia
One of the most prevalent reasons for hyperkalemia is kidney disease. The kidneys are tasked with the job of balancing electrolytes, including potassium. The kidney can compensate for high amounts of kalium when its functioning is only moderately impaired. But in the late stages of kidney disease, the kidney may lose this ability. Some drugs may interact with kidney functioning in such a way that it leads to inadequate removal of potassium. Another common cause is eating too many potassium-rich foods like cantaloupe, orange juice, bananas, honeydew melon, or other supplements. Less common causes of hyperkalemia include uncontrolled diabetes, Addison’s disease, and severe injuries or burn that cause the body to release extra potassium. 

The nutritional regime for hyperkalemia
Since one of the most common reasons for hyperkalemia is the excess consumption of potassium, the best way to control it is by following a balanced meal plan. Even when triggered by other reasons like kidney disease or diabetes, modifying the meal plan is the best way to manage this health condition. Bear in mind that it is not possible to have a meal plan free of potassium, and neither is it healthy. A lot of nutritious foods contain potassium. Hence completely eliminating potassium from one’s regular meal plan may cause constipation and deficiency of several other essential nutrients. However, temporarily adopting a low-potassium meal plan is ideal. The following tips can help a person follow this:

Avoid foods with the high potassium content
It is best to avoid canned vegetables since they contain more salts than necessary and hence may increase potassium content in the blood. Fresh fruits like bananas, grapes, kiwis, mangoes, apricots, and dry fruits like plums, papaya, and raisins have high potassium content. Also, avoid spinach, butternut squash, potato, sweet potatoes, avocado, beetroot, eggplant, cereals with bran, and nuts like pistachios. It is important to control the intake of milk, yogurt, nuts, fish, and chicken. Fruit juices tend to contain artificial salt that is rich in potassium. So try not to drink more than 150 ml of fruit juice a day. 

Reducing potassium from food
If one regularly consumes the foods mentioned above, eliminating these entirely may not be possible. So, one must try to reduce the amount of potassium intake. First and foremost, learning about foods and their nutritional values is important. It is helpful to be aware of the potassium content in foods. A person suffering from hyperkalemia should consume only 2,000 milligrams of potassium a day (as opposed to 2,600 to 3,400 milligrams recommended for a healthy adult). Potassium content from canned foods can be reduced by draining the water. In fresh vegetables, leaching is ideal. This process involves soaking vegetables in water and cooking them in 10x more water than vegetables. Wash the leached vegetables in cold water. Avoid large servings of tomato in all its forms (soup, sauce, puree, juice, etc.). Also, avoid foods like licorice, strong coffee, and chocolate.

Foods to manage hyperkalemia
Apart from steering clear of some foods, including foods low in potassium in one’s meal plan is important. Consider lean meats, shrimp, or eggs for proteins. Cauliflower, alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, green beans, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, white mushroom, zucchini, and carrots are ideal vegetables for people with hyperkalemia. Turn to high-fiber grains instead of those with bran. Blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, peach, grapefruit, apple and apple sauce, cherry, strawberry, tangerine, and pears are fruits that are low in kalium. 

Treatment for hyperkalemia
More often than not, a low-potassium meal plan is an ideal solution for hyperkalemia. But there are other alternative treatments. One’s healthcare provider will also likely modify the prescriptions apart from giving a person a meal plan with low-potassium foods. They might also ask a person to take specific pharmaceutical preparations to help the body eliminate extra potassium efficiently. These could be diuretics that make the kidney produce more urine, through which potassium is typically expelled from the body. Doctors may recommend certain prescription treatments for hyperkalemia. However, the same is not used for children and is usually more commonly prescribed when the potassium build-up is severe. 

Consult with the healthcare provider
One must always make modifications to the meal plan with the help of a nutritionist or a general practitioner. Firstly, if hyperkalemia is comorbid with other conditions, it is important to understand which foods will impact one’s health adversely. It is also possible that food is not a cause of this condition. If the reason is an underlying condition like diabetes, the meal plan must be low in potassium and carbohydrates. But if the cause is kidney disease, one must limit sodium, calcium, and phosphorus. Doctors are better equipped to create a meal plan that will suit a person. But remember, it is important to consult with a doctor before making any changes to the meal plan or if the symptoms aggravate further.

Our eyes are one of the most complex organs in our body, with about 2 million working parts. They can see 30 to 60 frames per second, and our brains can process the complete images in about 13 milliseconds. To operate with such high precision and speed, every component of our eye needs to be healthy. However, it is uncommon for individuals to pay specific attention to their eye health unless they’re facing an issue.

Six essential vitamins for maintaining eye health
Consuming enough vitamins as part of your daily meal plan benefits your eye and overall health. If you have recently been diagnosed with an eye condition and started increasing the number of vitamins in your food, you may not see a dramatic or sudden improvement in your vision. Having a healthy and nutritious food regime from an early age can ensure that you can maintain your eye health as you age and prevent age-related eye diseases. While our health depends on a range of vitamins, nutrients and minerals, vitamins are more important for eye health. The six essential vitamins for maintaining eye health include:

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for eye health. Also known as retinol, vitamin A is a part of rhodopsin, a protein found in the retina. It aids in maintaining a clear cornea and can also help strengthen the retina, help overall immunity, and prevent eye infections. Regular and long-term consumption of vitamin A can help prevent night blindness, dry eyes, soft cornea, dry tear ducts, and xerophthalmia. The prevalence of vitamin A-related eye diseases is rare in the country as the nutrient is available in food items consumed daily, like fish, eggs, milk, broccoli, eggs, and orange-colored vegetables and fruits.

Vitamin B1
Vitamin B helps proper cell function and is crucial in converting food into energy. Vitamin B can reduce eye sensitivity and delay the development of cataracts. It is crucial for people with diabetes as it can prevent retinopathy; diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. Whole grains, macadamia nuts, pork, tea, coffee, shellfish, rice and fish are important sources of vitamin B1.

Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2, popularly known as riboflavin, is an antioxidant that can help combat oxidative stress in the eye. It can help reduce eye sensitivity and help recover from sore or tired eyes. It can also prevent the quick progression of cataracts and protect the lens from damage. Asparagus, bananas, oranges, nuts, peas, mushrooms, and whole grains are good plant-based sources of vitamin B2. Other main sources of vitamin B2 are cheese, eggs, beef, and organ meat.

Vitamin B3
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is an antioxidant and helps convert food to energy. It helps in preventing any damage to the optic nerve, thus helping avoid glaucoma. It is also crucial to reduce eye pressure. Important food sources of vitamin B3 are red meat, poultry, and fish. Plant-based sources of the nutrient include avocados, green peas, mushrooms, potatoes and bananas. Excessive consumption of B3 can lead to inflammation of the eye, blurred vision, and damage to the macula. Do not take vitamins and supplements without talking to your doctor about the ideal dosage of vitamin B3.  

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is crucial for producing collagen, which helps maintain the form and structure of the cornea and sclera. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects our eyes from any damage caused by free radicals, and can help delay the progress of age-related eye diseases. You can benefit from having the vitamin in combination with other vitamins and essential nutrients. Black currants, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, oranges, strawberries and  potatoes are certain main sources of vitamin C in addition to citrus fruits.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant crucial in maintaining eye health and gradually improving vision. It is best suited to prevent age-related eye diseases and protect the eye from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E can also help reduce and prevent dark circles around the eyes. Many fruits and vegetables, including avocado, mango, olives, and kiwi, are rich sources of vitamin E. Abalones, salmon, trouts, fish roe, cod, and lobster are also rich in the nutrient. Other sources to consider include almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts, and oils like sunflower, wheatgerm, and almond oils.   

Note that if you want to take supplements for any of the above vitamins, always consult a doctor to know the appropriate dosage. Excess consumption of vitamins can also cause side effects like flatulence and diarrhea and put you at risk for weak bones and fractures. 

Common eye diseases caused by vitamin deficiencies
It is also that vitamin deficiency can directly lead to certain specific eye diseases. Night blindness, dry eyes, clouded vision and a soft cornea can happen if your body does not get adequate vitamin A.  Vitamin A deficiencies can also happen as a side effect of surgery or treatment. In such cases, doctors prescribe supplements to restore the vitamin requirements quickly. Vitamin B deficiency can lead to anemia, and vitamin D deficiency may accelerate AMD.

Treatment for eye diseases

A vitamin-rich food regime alone cannot cure eye disease. It can help to prevent and delay the progression of cataracts and glaucoma. Doctors decide on treatment based on the severity of the disease, the speed at which the disease progresses,  a patient’s age, and overall health condition. Doctors use many painless and quick surgical and non-invasive techniques to screen and detect eye diseases. Given below are some common solutions and approaches to treating eye diseases:

Corrective glasses or contact lenses as a conventional treatment for refractive errors like short sight, long sight and astigmatism
Vision aids for people with partial vision
Oral and injectable prescription treatments, eye ointments and creams to treat redness, swelling, or itchiness caused by infection or injury
Vision therapy for cross-eye Tear duct plugs that prevent drainage of tears
Eye drops or artificial tears to maintain moisture levels in the eye’s outer surface if one if suffering from dry eye syndrome
Lipiflow, which is a procedure that uses heat and pressure to manage dry eyes
Prescription eye drops restore oil levels and manage symptoms of allergies
Eye injections to prevent the formation of leaky blood vessels
LASIK to correct refractive error
Laser treatments to destroy faulty and abnormal blood vessels
Photodynamic therapy
Surgery to treat cataracts

Recent studies show that the pandemic has led to increased cases associated with diabetes. Inflammation caused by the virus may replicate within the pancreatic beta-cells responsible for the body’s insulin production. This further affects the secretion and synthesis of the property. As a result, one may experience severe symptoms of diabetes. While the health complications associated with excessive sugar intake are well-known, this underscores the urgency of recognizing the eight symptoms of high sugar intake.

8 signs that indicate excess sugar intake

Frequent urination
When your body has extra sugar, i.e., about 180 mg/DL in the blood, the kidneys work much harder to flush it through urine. The higher the sugar levels, the more it tries to send it out through urine. If you suddenly make more than 20 trips to the bathroom during the day, it is one of the first indications of excess sugar intake.

Heightened thirst
Feeling extremely thirsty without an apparent cause could indicate excess blood sugar intake. Sugar builds up in your blood when you eat high-carb or high-calorie foods. The kidneys work extra to push out the sugar through urine. If there is insufficient water to pass the sugar out, kidneys drain water from our body tissues. With less water in our tissues, you get dehydrated, and your body sends signals for water as thirst. It is vital to drink lots of water to keep the body hydrated and dilute the glucose in the bloodstream, but constant thirst can be a sign of high blood sugar.

The sudden or persistent sugar craving
Sugar cravings, many times, could be your body’s response to blood sugar imbalances rather than self-control. When your body metabolizes sugar, blood sugar levels rise, and the body releases insulin to bring it down to safe levels. If the blood levels go down too much, the body looks for sugar or glucose, resulting in a craving. Persistent or sudden sugar craving indicates excess sugar intake. If your blood sugar levels are normal, but you still have a craving, it may be because of a habit, conditioning, or a strong hormonal cycle.

Fatigue
After binging on sugary drinks or desserts, you normally feel energized as the pancreas releases insulin, which transfers the glucose to our cells. Once the glucose is used up, you may have low energy and fatigue. The rise and fall and fluctuation of sugar levels happen in cycles. If it is moderate, the energy levels remain the same. In contrast, if you have had too much sugar during a festive season, holidays, or vacations, the rise in sugar levels could be quickly followed by a severe crash. The sudden fall in energy levels after excess intake of sugar causes fatigue. This type of fatigue is called diabetic fatigue in prediabetics and diabetics. If you do not have diabetes, you can prevent this by consuming some form of protein or fiber with sugar.

Insomnia
Eating desserts before sleep causes a sudden rush of energy and keeps you awake. Also, serotonin is a chemical crucial for producing melatonin, which helps our body relax and sleep at night. High blood sugar can affect serotonin production; consequently, the body produces less melatonin. This cyclical impact of high sugar and low serotonin production can cause insomnia.

Increased hunger and fat gain
Foods with high sugar content are digested quickly and cause hunger quickly. When you eat more to satiate your hunger, the cycle begins again, leading to excess body fat. Our body uses a certain amount of blood sugar or glucose for energy. It converts the rest of the glucose and stores it as a reserve in our muscles and liver. This fat accumulates, especially if a person spends little time on physical activity or lives sedentary. The accumulated fat then begins to cause weight gain.

Moodiness and irritability
There is no doubt that sugar makes you happy as it releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter in our brain linked to happy emotions like satisfaction, motivation, and pleasure. However, the rise of blood sugar, the surge of energy, and the quick crash can cause irritability and sluggishness. If you feel irritated or moody at a specific time of the day or after a meal, the pattern could be caused by high sugar intake. Replace the carbs with protein to prevent mood changes.

Changes in the skin
When our kidney uses up the water in our body and tissues to flush the blood sugar out of our system, dehydration and excessive thirst set in. The dehydration affects the skin, too, as it becomes very dry. Prolonged high blood sugar levels can cause fatty deposits in the blood vessels, making them narrow. It may slow down blood circulation, and the skin in your legs and feet may become itchy. Dry skin and itchiness in the legs and feet indicate excess blood sugar.

If you notice one or more of these signs, it is better to seek the advice of a doctor near you and explore the different treatment options to prevent prediabetes, type 1, or type 2 diabetes. Undetected and untreated diabetes can lead to multiple complications. 

Five major complications caused by diabetes
The five main complications of undiagnosed and untreated diabetes are retinopathy, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, foot problems leading to amputation, and nerve damage. Based on your current health condition, age, and complications, doctors use one or more of the following approaches to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

Treatment of underlying diseases, if any
Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels
Use of oral or injectable insulin
Islet cell transplant
Bariatric surgery to control and reduce weight, in rare cases
Food modification
Regular exercise

Diabetes and chronic kidney disease
More than 40% of people with kidney diseases have diabetes. This happens because high blood sugar damages the blood vessels and nephrons in the kidney, leading to loss of kidney function and failure. This condition is called chronic kidney disease. While there is no cure for CKD, doctors use a combination of oral prescription treatments, dialysis, food modification, and exercise to prevent and manage symptoms. They may recommend a kidney transplant for some based on their symptoms’ severity, age, and overall health condition.

Health centers for diabetes
Health centers for diabetes are specialized hospitals and clinics that detect prediabetes and type 1 and type 2 diabetes in young children, teens, and adults. These centers have highly qualified and experienced doctors, technicians, labs, and the latest equipment to screen and treat diabetes. They also employ nutritionists and wellness experts who help patients plan menus and weekly exercise routines. Plus, they employ counselors who can help children and adults cope with the impact of life-long diabetes and help them adapt to a healthier lifestyle.

Studies show that the pandemic has led to increased cases associated with diabetes. Inflammation caused by the virus may replicate within the pancreatic beta-cells responsible for the body’s insulin production. This further affects the secretion and synthesis of the property. As a result, one may experience severe symptoms of diabetes.

Collecting precious coins can be more than just a hobby, as rare coins are good not only for the collection but also for the pocket. Coins with accidental defects have emerged as rare and valuable over the decades and are often worth a sizable amount. Today, several vendors selling such coins have emerged in the online space. Here is a list of a few such rare coins one can find today:

The 1804 Silver Dollar
The 1804 silver dollar is worth over $5 million if sold in good condition. Today, only 15 samples of this coin are known to exist. Surprisingly, although the coin is referred to as the “1804 silver dollar,” 1804 is not the year when it was first minted. These coins were first minted around 1834–35 when the U.S. Department of State decided to gift coin sets to Asian rulers who agreed to grant trade concessions to the country. The coin is categorized into three classes based on the period of its inception. Class I coins were minted during the 1830s and presented to Asian rulers. Class II coins are the ones minted from 1858 to 1859 as an experiment by U.S. Mint employees. Finally, the Class III coins also came into existence in the 1858–59 period to be presented to certain favored collectors.

The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
This coin is worth $10 million and is extremely rare to lay hands on today. The primary reason for its high value is that less than 1,800 such coins have been minted from the time of its inception in 1794–1795. The coin entails Lady Liberty with flowing hair on its front side, and an American eagle embossed on the flip side. It was developed following a study conducted by President George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, who suggested that Congress should come up with a national mint. Consequently, the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar was the first government-minted coin.

The Turban Head Eagle
The Turban Head Eagle, also known as the 1804 Eagle Gold, Capped Bust, or the Capped Bust Eagle, was a government-minted coin from 1795 to 1804. Designed by Scottish-American engraver Robert Scot, this coin was the largest denomination to be authorized by the Mint Act of 1792. The production of these coins was discontinued in 1804, re-emerging three decades later in 1834 to be used in diplomatic presentations. Although Liberty wears a cap and not a turban, her headgear is ensconced by her thick locks, making it resemble a turban. Today, the turban head eagle is worth $5.1 million.

The 1787 Brasher Doubloon
These coins were first minted by Ephraim Brasher, a goldsmith, in the latter half of the 18th Century. Known as the “Holy Grail” of coins, it was the first gold coin to be minted in the country and is considered among the most important ones in history. The coin depicts the state seal and the rising sun on the front and the American eagle and a shield on the other side. With only seven samples of this coin having ever been minted, the 1787 Brasher Doubloon can fetch anywhere from $5 million to over $9 million today.

The 1885 “Trade” Silver Dollar
With only five such coins available today, the 1885 “trade” silver dollar is among the rarest coins in the country’s numismatic history. The coin was designed by engraver Charles Barber, and its existence came to be discovered nearly 25 years after its inception. As a result, there were fleeting doubts regarding its year of minting. However, research by Carl Carlston revealed that the 1884 and 1885 “trade” silver dollars were, in fact, produced during these years. Although the coin was worth about $1,600 in the early 1950s, its value has risen considerably over the decades. Today, the 1885 “trade” silver dollar is worth over $3.5 million if it is well-preserved.

The 1870 Three-Dollar Gold Coin
There exists only one known sample of this coin today, which was last valued at $687,500 in 1982. Historians believe that another sample of this coin was probably buried in a cornerstone of a San Francisco building a long time ago.

The 1343 Edward III Florin
This coin is regarded as among the world’s oldest and most expensive coins. The 1343 Edward III Florin coin is among the only three pure gold coins available today. Here, one side depicts King Edward III seated on his throne, flanked by leopard heads on either side, while the flip side features the Royal Cross ensconced in a quatrefoil. Today, two of these coins have been preserved in London’s British Museum and are priced at $6.8 million.

The 1873-CC Seated Liberty Dime
The 1873-CC seated liberty dime is regarded as the only unique coin from the Carson City Mint, which is said to have minted its coins using gold derived from nearby mines. Today, these dimes are worth approximately $2.7 million.

The 2000 Sacagawea “Cheerios” Dollar
The story behind this coin is as interesting as its name. Originally, the government minted these coins to promote the 2000 Lincoln Cent, or the “Golden Dollar,” by placing them inside over 10 million boxes of Cheerios, the signature breakfast cereal nationwide. However, the coins were accidentally minted erroneously, with the eagle tail feathers being engraved on the flip side of the coin. Today, there exist about 70 Sacagawea Cheerios coins, which are priced at around $25,000 per coin.

While coin collection can be a highly rewarding activity, the process requires considerable research on the market prices of various government-minted coins. It is always a good idea to buy or hold on to coins that are likely to increase in value. Finally, one should be sure to study numismatic terms, such as “face value,” “intrinsic value,” and “circulation coins” before taking on this endeavor.