Hidden Penny Treasures Worth
At first glance, this looks like an ordinary modern penny.
But this 1990 Lincoln penny sold for nearly $20,000 
— and the reason why might surprise you.
The secret isn’t gold, silver, or age.
It’s a missing letter.
Let’s break this incredible coin down step by step, so you know exactly what to look for in your own collection. 
Step 1: Why Would a 1990 Penny Be Worth $20,000?
Most people assume valuable coins must be hundreds of years old. That’s not always true.
This penny is valuable because of a minting error—a mistake so rare that collectors will pay tens of thousands of dollars to own one.
Step 2: Understanding Proof Pennies
Every year, the San Francisco Mint produces special coins known as proof coins.
These coins are:
- Extra shiny
- Struck with polished dies
- Made specifically for collectors
Proof pennies always share one important detail:
An “S” mint mark located under the date, showing they were struck in San Francisco.
Step 3: The Missing “S” That Created a $20,000 Penny
In 1990, something unusual happened.
A small number of proof pennies were struck:
- With the deep mirror-like proof finish
- But WITHOUT the “S” mint mark
That tiny blank space under the date should never exist.
Yet it does.
This mistake—now known as the 1990 No-S Proof Penny error—is exactly why one example sold for nearly $20,000 at auction 
.
Step 4: How to Identify the 1990 No-S Proof Penny
Here’s what to check carefully:
Correct Features
- Date: 1990
- Surface: Mirror-like, reflective fields
- Mint Mark: NONE (no “S” under the date)
Not the Rare One
- A 1990 penny with a dull surface
- A proof penny with an “S” mint mark
Most proof pennies do have the “S”. Only the missing-S version brings big money.
Step 5: Why Collectors Pay So Much
Collectors love coins with:
- Verified mint errors
- Extremely low survival numbers
- Clear historical mistakes
This coin checks all three boxes.
A missing letter may sound small—but in numismatics, it can mean the difference between 1 cent and $20,000.
Final Advice: Check Before You Spend
Before tossing pennies into a jar or spending them:
- Look closely at 1990 pennies
- Check for mirror-like polish
- Confirm whether the “S” mint mark is missing
One overlooked coin could change everything. 
