It sounds like you’re referring to a rare Lincoln penny with a production error that has made it worth over $500,000. The value of a penny like this would be linked to a significant minting error, as most regular Lincoln pennies are worth only one cent. Let’s explore what kind of production error could make a penny so valuable and what specific examples might command such a high price.
The Rare Lincoln Penny Worth Over $500,000: What You Need to Know
The Lincoln penny has been in circulation since 1909 and is one of the most widely collected coins in the U.S. Many Lincoln pennies, especially older ones, are prized by collectors for their age, rarity, and historical significance.
However, a minting error can make a particular penny much more valuable than the typical one-cent coin. Below are the types of errors that could push the value of a Lincoln penny into the hundreds of thousands, or even higher.
1. The 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny: A Legendary Error
One of the most famous examples of a Lincoln penny that could be worth over $500,000 (and sometimes much more) is the 1943 Copper Lincoln penny. Here’s why:
- The Error: In 1943, due to a shortage of copper during World War II, the U.S. Mint began producing pennies made of steel instead of copper. However, some copper planchets (the metal blanks used to strike coins) were mistakenly used to mint a small number of pennies that year. These copper pennies are extremely rare and have become one of the most sought-after coins among collectors.
- The Value: While a typical 1943 steel penny is worth just a few cents, the 1943 copper penny can be worth over $500,000, and some have sold for much higher amounts at auction, depending on their condition. The most famous example of this coin was sold for $1.7 million in 2010.
- How to Identify It: If you find a 1943 penny that appears to be made of copper rather than steel, you may have stumbled upon one of these rare error coins. The copper penny has a distinctive reddish-brown color, whereas the steel penny looks silver in appearance and has a metallic sheen.
2. 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny: Another Famous Error
Another well-known Lincoln penny with incredible value due to a production error is the 1955 Doubled Die penny.
- The Error: The 1955 Doubled Die penny was struck with a die that was misaligned, causing the date and other features of the coin to appear doubled. This error occurred because the coin’s die was re-used and struck more than once, causing the doubling effect.
- The Value: While not as valuable as the 1943 copper penny, a 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in good condition. Coins that are well-preserved and have been professionally graded can fetch prices ranging from $1,000 to over $500,000.
- How to Identify It: To spot the double die effect, look closely at the date (1955) and Liberty on the obverse (front) of the penny. You should notice that the digits and letters appear doubled. The doubling is particularly visible on the “5” in the date and the “Liberty” inscription.
Also See: Do you have a spare dime? It could be worth more than $5 million. Here’s what to know