Rare ‘flying’ cent sold for $18,000 due to unusual details – could you have one in your pocket?

COIN collectors have been searching for a rare coin since the 1800s, and one just sold for $18,000.

The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent is credited with popularizing coin collecting across the country.

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As the name implies, the coin’s obverse, or “heads” side, features an eagle flying high with its wings spread.

The reverse features an ornate crown encircling the words “One Cent.”

The coins were initially minted as presentation pieces to be given to government officials and other dignitaries.

At least 634 coins were minted specifically for distribution, but it is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,150 were minted.

Coin enthusiasts believe some examples were struck explicitly for collectors who wanted theirs, according to Jamie Hernandez of Professional Coin Grading Society.

Demand for the coins was always high, even the lowest quality coins sold for thousands of dollars at auctions.

In 1908, the coin’s record auction price was $16, which is equivalent to $512 when adjusted for inflation.

The value skyrocketed beyond that. Last month, a Flying Eagle Cent sold for $18,000 in Heritage Auctions.

This penny was an example of the Snow-9, the typical restrike variety made between late 1857 and 1860.

It was also in extremely good condition, showing the original walnut-brown patina over the copper-nickel surface.

The strike was bold and easily visible, without serious abrasions, adding value.

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Despite the face value of just one cent, coin collectors will pay thousands of dollars for certain pennies.

Coin expert Eric Miller (@thecoinchannel) shared how to spot another valuable penny on a TikTok.

He explained that all the pennies were minted in Denver in 1922.

Coins have a lowercase letter signifying where they were produced, called the mint mark. It usually appears below the year in cents.

How coins are classified

Coins are graded on a scale of one to 70, with one being the lowest grade and 70 being the purest example.

Numbers 60 to 70 are generally the most sought after by collectors and are known as Mint State coins.

Pieces worth thousands of dollars at auction are commonly found in MS67, MS68, and MS69 condition.

An MS-70 is almost impossible to find among older coins.

Some pennies were struck without the mint mark, which made them very valuable.

A 1922 penny without a mint mark sold for $26,000 at auction.

The penny was certified by PCGS, which added value.

However, an uncertified coin still sold for $1,300.

Miller also explained how to find a rare nickel worth $6,000 that most people would “easily miss.”

Coin collectors are also on the hunt for some rare notes, like those with “rising” serial numbers that can sell for $7,500.