πͺ Could Your 1967 Penny Be a Rare $1,500 Error Coin?

At first glance, a 1967 Lincoln penny looks completely ordinary. But a rare minting mistake has turned a few of these coins into four-figure collectibles. π²
Collectors have paid $1,500 to over $2,000 for a 1967 penny accidentally struck on a dime planchetβand some are still being discovered.
Letβs break it down step by step, so you can check your own coins with confidence. π
π What Makes This 1967 Penny Error So Valuable?
This coin is not copper and not the right size.
It was created when a penny die struck a dime blank, producing a dramatic and highly collectible error.
π§ Why Collectors Pay Big Money
βοΈ Struck on a dime planchet (wrong metal and size)
βοΈ Extremely rare minting error
βοΈ Silver-colored appearance (not copper)
βοΈ Only a small number authenticated
βοΈ Strong demand among error-coin collectors
π° Typical auction prices: $1,500β$2,000 (XFβAU grades)
π§ Step-by-Step: How to Identify the Rare 1967 Error Penny
β Step 1: Measure the Size and Weight
This is the fastest way to spot the error.
π Normal 1967 penny
- Diameter: 19.05 mm
- Weight: 3.11 grams
π Error penny (on dime planchet)
- Diameter: ~17.9 mm
- Weight: ~2.27 grams
π If your coin is smaller and lighter, keep checking.
β Step 2: Check the Metal Color
A genuine error will not look copper.
πΉ Silver-gray color
πΉ Made of copper-nickel (same as a dime)
πΉ Does NOT stick to a magnet
πΉ Edge may show partial reeding
β οΈ Plated pennies often look shiny but fail the weight test.
β Step 3: Inspect the Design Details
Compare your coin side-by-side with a normal penny.
βοΈ Lincoln Memorial design still visible
βοΈ Design may appear tight or slightly cut off
βοΈ Rim may look thinner than usual
π Differences become obvious when compared directly.
π₯ Real Auction Sales (Verified)
| Year | Grade | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | AU-55 | π° $2,300 |
| 2024 | XF-40 | π° $1,875 |
| 2022 | Circulated | π° $1,500 |
π These results confirm strong and consistent collector demand.
π§€ What to Do If You Find One
π« Do NOT clean or polish the coin β this will destroy value.
βοΈ Follow These Steps:
1οΈβ£ Handle by the edges only (cotton gloves recommended)
2οΈβ£ Photograph next to a normal penny πΈ
3οΈβ£ Weigh and measure precisely
4οΈβ£ Store in a protective holder
5οΈβ£ Submit to PCGS or NGC for error certification
π Certification is essential for resale.
β οΈ Common Fakes and Altered Coins to Avoid
β Electroplated pennies (wrong weight)
β Filed or sanded edges
β Novelty βmagicianβs coinsβ
β Artificially silver-coated cents
π Authentic errors match exact dime specifications and must be certified.
π Free 1967 Error Penny Review
Think you found a silver-colored 1967 penny?
πΈ Email clear photos to: ErrorExperts@CoinRarities.com
π Call: 1-800-PENNY-DIME for a quick consultation
π¬ βI found mine in an old tip jarβit paid for my vacation!β
β Mike T., California
π Final Thoughts: Check Before You Spend
Only a small number of 1967 penny-on-dime planchet errors are known today.
Before you dismiss that odd-looking coin, take a closer lookβit could be a $1,500+ mint error hiding in plain sight. π
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