The image you’ve provided showcases a stunning, uncirculated 2022-D Lincoln Cent—the U.S. penny minted in Denver. Its mirror-like fields and sharp details suggest it is either a very high-grade business strike or perhaps a special-issue coin. However, the accompanying caption introduces a fascinating twist: “NEW ERROR – 2023 D – Jovita Idar Women’s Quarter Reads ‘In Cod We Trust’.”
This juxtaposition of the visual evidence (a 2022-D Lincoln Cent) with the sensational caption (a 2023-D Jovita Idar Quarter error) creates a classic “treasure hunt” scenario for the coin collecting community. While the photo itself depicts a potentially valuable high-grade penny, the caption directs attention toward a genuinely emerging and sought-after error coin: the “In Cod We Trust” mistake on the 2023 Jovita Idar Quarter.
This piece will dissect both elements—the high-grade 2022-D Cent and the publicized 2023-D Quarter error—to provide a comprehensive and thrilling look at modern numismatics.
The Penny: A High-Grade 2022-D Lincoln Cent
The coin in the photograph is a Lincoln Shield Cent dated 2022 with a “D” mint mark, indicating it was struck at the Denver Mint. What is immediately clear is its uncirculated state. The surfaces are pristine, and the reflective quality, known as “Proof-Like” (PL) or “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) if applicable, is exceptional.
Why This Penny is Valuable on its Own:
- High Grade: Modern coins like the 2022-D cent are only valuable when they achieve an exceptionally high grade, such as Mint State (MS) 68 Red (RD). Because the U.S. Mint produces billions of these pennies, only those that survive the journey from the press to a collector’s slab without a single flaw command a premium. Certified 2022-D Cents in MS68RD condition have sold for hundreds of dollars—a massive return on a one-cent investment.
- Known Errors (Not Visible Here): The 2022-D Cent series is already known to have a few notable errors, primarily Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) and Reverse (DDR) varieties, where a slight misalignment during the die striking process causes a noticeable doubling of the lettering or design elements. A dramatic DDO on the date or motto could turn this coin into a four-figure rarity. The photo suggests a pristine strike, but close inspection with magnification would be needed to verify any doubling.
The Quarter: The Sensation of “In Cod We Trust”
The caption, however, is all about the 2023-D Jovita Idar Quarter, the fourth issue in the American Women Quarters Program that year. The purported error is a humorous and highly collectible mistake in the nation’s motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST,” reading instead as “IN COD WE TRUST.”
The Mechanism of the “Cod” Error:
This error is attributed to a Filled Die Error, specifically a Die Chip or Die Deterioration.
- Die Chip: During the minting process, tiny fragments of the coining die can break off, creating a void. When the coin is struck, the coin metal flows into this void, making the finished coin appear to have an extra lump of metal where there should be a recessed area.
- The “G” to “C” Transformation: In the case of “IN COD WE TRUST,” a small die chip or metal detritus fills the lower-right loop of the letter ‘G’ in ‘GOD’. This filling makes the ‘G’ appear rounded and incomplete, strongly resembling the letter ‘C’.
The Value and Rarity:
This particular linguistic error is highly prized by collectors for its novelty and clear visibility.
- High Demand: Coin collectors, or “numismatists,” actively seek out these types of minor errors because they are indisputable evidence of a minting malfunction and are often caught early, leading to a limited circulation run.
- Market Price: Uncertified, circulated examples of the 2023 “In Cod We Trust” Jovita Idar Quarter have already appeared on secondary markets (like eBay), commanding prices from $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on the clarity of the error and the coin’s condition. Top-tier, certified examples with the most pronounced “C” could potentially sell for over $1,000, solidifying its status as a major new error coin.
In conclusion, the photograph serves as a compelling visual example of a high-grade modern cent, urging the reader to examine their pocket change for quality. The accompanying caption, however, points to the genuinely viral, high-value find of the moment: the rare and amusing 2023-D Jovita Idar Quarter with the “In Cod We Trust” error.
Would you like me to generate a shorter, social media-style caption highlighting the “In Cod We Trust” error for you to use with this image, as a warning to check all quarters, not just pennies?
