We talk a lot on here about the more rare and valuable issues, but was wondering which issues are the total opposite and are most common. Like say we did a Top 10 most common coins today, which would they be? Just like with rare issues, let's take survival into account. In other words, not just take the 10 highest mintages ever. EDIT: It occurred to me that the Top 10 might all/mostly be the same denomination (Lincoln Cents?). So maybe we should do a list of most common by denomination.
My first introduction to annoyingly common coins was the 1964 Jefferson. Searching change or rolls in the early 1970s, it seemed like there were more 1964s than all the other dates put together. I'm sure its mintage is dwarfed by more recent years, though. Edit: nope, total mintage for 1964 and 1964-D combined is just over 2.8 billion. The only other two years that exceeded 2 billion total were 1999 and 2000, each around 2.3 billion. At the end of 1973, 1964-dated nickels constituted just over 25% of the total population.
For Washington Quarters I will nominate 1965. Even though it's been over 50 years since they were minted I see them all the time in my change.
And, of course, who could forget the 1921 Morgan, much though we might like to... Edit: don't everybody chime in at once!
I think the bicentennial quarters have to be the most common. I still get these in change a lot. I think as old time collections are liquidated the heirs are advised just to cash them in ,keeping a nearly endless supply in circulation.
1853 A&R Half Dollar . . . imagine how shocked many would be who initially pulled such coins from circulation, believing they'd be rare.
Thought about that one but went with 1965 cause I see them more. I wouldn't doubt though if there are more Bicentennials in existence today considering they were (still are) hoarded. Definitely more in higher grades.