It is time for coin collectors to sharpen their focus! Rare Lincoln pennies selling for $840,000 at auction are making headlines. Unique minting errors have given these extraordinary coins the epithet “holy grail” of collectors and have led to their tremendous price.
For this roundup, we’ve dug into five of the most expensive Lincoln pennies that are in the throes of getting collected.
The 1943-D Bronze Cent:
The 1943-D Bronze Cent is undoubtedly a rare and iconic treasure, and it is being sold for a startling $840,000. But this penny is extra special because it’s the only one known to exist from the Denver Mint. Most pennies were produced out of steel between 1943 to help save copper for World War II. Fortunately, this great coin was an accident, and it was minted in bronze instead of breaking it apart and doubling its worth.
If you are new to the stuff regarding coin collecting, you need to know that the rare finds are valuable because of the minting errors. Defects also can occur when coins are minted, resulting in coins of different appearance than their intended design.
- Material Anomalies: Coins minted with unexpected materials, as in the 1943-D cent minted from bronze.
- Design Errors: Defects in the die that damage the image or lettering on the coin.
- Misstrikes: Defects properly struck during the minting, with an unusual shape or feature.
Not only are these errors rare, but they are also very desirable among the collectors of these elusive treasures.
Coin collectors are always on the lookout for rare and unique finds to add value to their coin collections. These treasures include certain coins, both famous for their historical significance and for the impressive look they present.
1. Olive-Brown Beauty with a Touch of Crimson
This coin is colored olive brown with a minor scarlet edge that makes it distinctive. The mint luster adds to the surface, allowing the Lincoln features and the wheat stalks to show. It’s “Choice” grading, testament to its well-preserved detail thanks to these attributes.
This coin is a prized possession of collectors, as it is the finest known example of its type and provides coin history in a unique place.
2. 1943-S Bronze Cent – A $504,000 Gem
According to Heritage Auctions, the 1943-S Bronze Cent came from the San Francisco Mint and sold for $504,000 at auction. It is truly a rare coin, struck in bronze, rather than wartime steel.
The fine strands of Lincoln’s hair and the wheat stalks on the reverse provide sharp detailing, as well as its brown and crimson tones, which together make it an outstanding piece. Other rarity factors include a small zinc fleck near the date, as from steel pennies made during the same period.
Because of these features, the 1943-S Bronze Cent is a sought-out collector’s item, as it represents a time in numismatic history.
This penny’s allure comes from its exceptional history as a 1943 error coin and its being in near mint condition, making it a valuable prize amongst coin collectors.
The Legendary 1943 Bronze Cent from Philadelphia
The 1943 bronze cent from Philadelphia received its place in numismatic history when it sold for an impressive $372,000. Its appeal is due to the fact that this coin was accidentally made in bronze, rather than the planned steel, a rare error collected by collectors worldwide.
A Coin with a Story
Estimated to be only 20 pieces minted, this coin is nothing short of a marvel, with a well-preserved rich brown patina and red highlights shining through protected areas. The coin was first discovered in 1957 by some collector, who started rumors that it was so valuable he could trade it for a new car, further cementing the coin’s legendary status.
- Rarity: Approximately 20 known coins
- Patina: Rich brown with red highlights
- Discovery: Found in 1957
The value of this coin lies in its rarity, the unique minting error, and the timeless appeal it has for collectors.
Another Gem: The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent
Another coin that has gained traction among the collectors is the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent. However, this coin sold at auction for an astounding $348,000.
A Smaller Club of Rarity
This coin is one of about 10 to 15 known examples, and it would normally be an incredibly exclusive coin for any coin collector to own. As a result, its rarity and unique story mean it is still a much-prized collectible in the world of numismatics.
- Known Examples: 10 to 15
- Auction Price: $348,000
These are both examples of the allure and thrill that go along with coin collecting, that even a simple minting error can allow for something indescribably cool.
This particular penny is famous for its wrong-planchet error and was made of bronze at a time when most pennies were made of steel. This combination of rich, warm brown hue and touches of red increases the coin’s eye appeal and differentiates it as a top-notch piece for the collector.
FAQs
Q. What makes the 1943-D Bronze Cent so special?
A. The 1943 Denver Bronze Cent is an example because it is the only known penny minted in bronze at the Denver Mint during periods of steel pennies, when copper was limited for World War II. The $808,000 fetched for it was due to rarity and minting error.
Q. What are the different types of minting errors that can occur in Lincoln pennies?
A. Lincoln pennies of the minting errors type can also have material anomalies like coins minted from unwanted materials, design errors that spoil the coin’s image or lettering, and misstrikes that make the coin’s shape and features unusual. Collectors search out these errors because of their rarity and specific characteristics.
Q. How much can rare Lincoln pennies sell for at auction?
A. Notable examples of rare Lincoln pennies that can fetch significant prices at auction include the 1943-D Bronze Cent for $840,000, the 1943-S Bronze Cent for $504,000, and the 1943 Bronze Cent from Philadelphia for $372,000. It’s fundamentally a question of how rare they are, whether they have minting errors, or whether they are historically significant.