The coin in question is a 2001 Lincoln Cent and the detail is an error called a mule.
A mule is a coin that was struck from mismatched dies – meaning the coin’s reverse has the wrong image.
This particular penny features a Lincoln cent obverse and a Roosevelt dime reverse on the classic penny planchet.
Because of this rare error, a coin collector paid $114,000 from Heritage Auctions earlier this year.
According to the popular auction site, the diameters for the cent and dime are similar with both mintages exceeding a billion or more.
It’s not known if the error was intentional or if the coins were released into circulation unnoticed.
A LITTLE HISTORY
The site went on to list the rarest cent and dime mules:
- Four 2001-D Lincoln cents
- 1999 Lincoln cent
- 1993-D Lincoln cent
- 1995 Lincoln cent
The four known 2001-D cent dime mules were all struck on the same day, by the same die pair, and on the same press, according to Heritage Auctions.
Experts at the site went on to reveal that the dime’s reverse is “pumpkin-gold” with a broad rim, raised and recessed elements.
Exact detail on the obverse of your quarter to make it worth $74,400 – but you need to look for the pinkish/olive hues
The reverse’s wider rim is due to the narrow diameter of the dime die.
On each of the coin’s obverse, the letters in GOD WE TRUST are lightly brought up, but the remainder of the strike is sharp.
PRETTY PENNY
Collectors are also on the lookout for other rare errors, dates, or low-mintage coins.
For example, a coin enthusiast purchased a 1793 Half Cent, also known as Liberty cap, from Heritage Auctions for $48,000.
The coin is the smallest denomination ever minted due to its value being one two-hundredth of a dollar.
These coins had five different designs, each featuring variations of Lady Liberty on the front and a wreath on the back.
How coins are graded
Coins are graded on a scale of one to 70, with one being the poorest grade, and 70 being the most pristine example.
Numbers 60 to 70 are generally the most sought-after by collectors and are known as Mint State coins.
Pieces that fetch thousands at auction are commonly found in MS67, MS68, and MS69 conditions.
An MS-70 is near-impossible to find among older coins.
This particular coin got much of its value from the die error where the “7” in the date is short.
Meanwhile, another penny, the 1900 Indian Cent, was minted in Philadelphia and is one of the rarest coins due to its low mintage.
These were first produced in 1793, but the US stopped minting the Indian Cent shortly after.
However, it later resumed in the 1850s.
Because of this, the 1900 date is widely known as the rarest coin since experts from JM Bullion say it, “bridges two centuries of Indian Head production.”
The U.S. Sun also covered a rare dime that sold for $18,000 due to a “full bands” detail on the back.
Plus, A 1968 No S Dime is valued at $40,000, but a specific detail increases its value.
