A 1971-D Lincoln penny with a rare triple-struck mint error recently sold for $1 million, making it one of the most dramatic and valuable error coins ever discovered.
With only five confirmed specimens, this Denver Mint accident could still be hiding in a coin jar, waiting to be found.
💰 Why This Penny Is Worth $1 Million
✔️ Triple Strike Collar Error – Coin struck three times while rotating in the press
✔️ Only 5 Known Examples – Extreme rarity in any grade
✔️ High-Grade Certified – PCGS MS65+ BN example fetched seven figures
✔️ Historic Mint Mishap – Caused by a press malfunction at the Denver Mint
🔍 Key Identification Features
Obverse (Front):
- Triple “LIBERTY” – ghosted, overlapping text
- “1971-D” date & mint mark appear shadowed or smeared
- Lincoln’s portrait shows three visible noses and eyes
Reverse (Back):
- Wheat stalks have layered, overlapping outlines
- “UNITED STATES” appears tripled
Physical Traits:
- Weight: 3.11g (standard copper)
- Thickness: ~50% thicker than a normal cent
- Edge: Uneven reeding from multiple strikes
🧪 How to Spot the Triple Strike Error
The 15-Second Test:
✅ Spin Test – Design “moves” or shimmers when rotated
✅ Flashlight Check – Shadows reveal layered strikes
✅ Edge Inspection – Stepped, uneven ridges
📊 Current Market Values
| Grade | Normal 1971-D | Triple Strike Error |
|---|---|---|
| AU50 | $0.05 | $100,000+ |
| MS63 | $0.50 | $350,000+ |
| MS65+ | $5.00 | $1,000,000+ |
💡 Fact: The most recent private sale (2023) reached $1.2 million for a PCGS MS65+ BN example.
⚠️ Beware of Fakes
- ❌ Electroplated copies – wrong weight or metal
- ❌ Hand-engraved fakes – tool marks visible under magnification
- ❌ Built-up residue – glue or putty imitating raised layers
📜 The Denver Mint Disaster
- Cause: Coin stuck in press and struck three times while rotating
- Timeline:
- 1987 – First specimen discovered in Arkansas coin roll
- 2001 – Second authenticated by PCGS
- 2023 – Record $1.2M private sale
- Population: Only 5 graded by PCGS (all BN designation)
🛠 What To Do If You Find One
- Handle by edges only – fingerprints reduce value
- Take 3D scans or multiple photos to document the coin
- Submit to PCGS or NGC under “Mint Error” service
- Insure for $1M+ before sending to grading
📸 Free Verification:
- Email photos: TripleStrike@MintErrorVerify.com
📞 Hotline: 1-888-TRIPLE-71
💰 Market Alert: Top collectors paying $50K finder’s fees
📌 Final Tip
Check your 1970s penny jars carefully — this million-dollar error hides in plain sight.
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