Check for a rare penny in your change that looks completely normal – but the ‘sharp’ detail made it sell for $5,040

THERE are two reasons why coin collectors are willing to pay so much for a 1909 penny.

Valuable coins often have an error or a very low mintage.

two

The VDB 1909-S cent has both, making it one of the most popular coins among collectors.

The initials stand for Victor David Brenner, who designed all Lincoln cents in the late 1950s.

The coin he designed for 1909 included his full name in lowercase letters on the reverse, in the bottom center of the coin.

Most designers and engravers followed this practice, but Mint engraver Charles Barber changed the design to just VDB instead of his full name.

When the coins were issued, some members of the media argued that the placement of the initials was “far from discreet and that the initials represented free and illegal advertising for the designer,” according to the newspaper. Professional Coin Grading Society.

Instead of moving the initials, mint officials removed them completely and created a new version of the 1909 cent.

Only 484,000 pennies bearing the initials VDB were minted, making them especially valuable to collectors.

By comparison, there are more than 72 million 1909 pennies without initials.

One of these coins sold for $5,040 at a Heritage auction due to its “sharp” details and impeccable condition.

However, the auction record is $10,000.

On average, the 1909 penny is worth $917, according to US Coin Book.

CH-CHING

Coin collector and TikToker Eric Miller (@thecoinchannel) shared how to identify a penny worth $7,500.

What makes the 2009 cent valuable is not a design error or low mintage, but its weight.

The penny was a “special strike” and was not intended for regular circulation.

It was part of a special set of coins commemorating Abraham Lincoln’s childhood.

Rare coins

You might be keeping something valuable in your wallet. Check out these articles about rare coins to see if you have a treasure hidden deep in your pocket.

These coins were all minted with 95% copper, making them heavier than other coins of recent times.

Since 1982, pennies have been made with about 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper.

Miller explained that the 2009 coins weigh just over 3.1 grams, while typical coins weigh 2.5 grams.

Collectors are also on the hunt for a rare one-dollar coin worth $20,000 due to an edge detail.

And here’s how to identify a penny worth $18,000.