A rare 1982 Lincoln Memorial cent just made history, selling in a private sale for a jaw-dropping $5,000,000 — all thanks to a once-in-a-lifetime transitional minting error.
Here’s everything you need to know to check your pocket change for this fortune-making coin.
Why This 1982 Penny Is Worth Millions
1982 was a major turning point for the U.S. Mint. The switch from solid copper to copper-plated zinc opened the door to rare transitional errors — but this one tops them all.
Key Characteristics:
- Extreme doubled die on obverse (look for shadowed text on date & “LIBERTY”)
- Wrong planchet strike – possibly minted on a silver dime blank
- Only 1 or 2 known examples in existence
- PCGS certified MS-68 Red (RD) – a nearly flawless grade
Historic Sales That Stunned Collectors
| Grade | Sale Price | Year |
|---|---|---|
| MS-68 RD | $5,000,000 | 2024 (Private Sale) |
| MS-67 RD | $2,100,000 | 2023 |
| AU-58 | $750,000 | 2022 |
How to Spot the $5 Million 1982 Penny
Weigh It
- Copper cents = 3.11g
- Zinc cents = 2.5g
- Silver-tone or off-metal? Get it tested — this could indicate a wrong planchet!
Look for Doubling
- Use 10x magnification
- Check “LIBERTY” and the date for clear, raised shadowing
Examine the Edge
- Silver tone? You may have a coin struck on the wrong metal
- Even minor edge irregularities could mean a rare blank was used
Where These Coins Might Be Hiding
- Forgotten coin jars from the early ’80s
- Bank rolls that haven’t been searched in decades
- Inherited collections from older relatives
- Estate sales near Philadelphia or Denver Mint areas
What To Do If You Think You Found One
Do NOT clean it – Even a fingerprint can slash the value
Take clear, high-resolution photos (front & back)
Submit it to a major grading service – PCGS or NGC only
Consider auctioning through top-tier houses:
- Heritage Auctions
- Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Final Thought: Could You Be Holding the $5 Million Penny?
Start checking your change, your old piggy bank, or those dusty coin rolls in storage.
The next multimillion-dollar mistake might be sitting in your hands right now
