Imagine pulling a penny out of your pocket that’s actually worth $1,458. 🤯 Sounds impossible, right? Well, in 1981, a rare mint error created a bizarre coin: a Lincoln cent struck on a Roosevelt dime planchet. Collectors call it the “11-Cent Coin”—and one just sold for over $1,400.
🔎 What Is the 11-Cent Error Coin?
At first glance, it looks like a normal 1981 penny—but when you tilt it, you’ll notice something strange:
- ✔ Lincoln’s Portrait on the obverse (front)
- ✔ Roosevelt’s Head ghosted into the background 😲
- ✔ Lincoln Memorial on the reverse
- ✔ Traces of the Roosevelt Dime Reverse overlapping in the design
This happens when a penny is mistakenly struck on a dime planchet (a blank coin disc).
⚠️ How Does an Error Like This Happen?
- The U.S. Mint strikes millions of coins daily.
- Occasionally, a blank dime planchet gets mixed in with penny planchets.
- The penny dies strike the dime planchet, creating a hybrid coin with features of both designs.
- Instead of being destroyed, a few errors escape into circulation.
💰 How Much Is It Worth?
While the face value is only 11 cents (1¢ + 10¢), collectors pay thousands for this mistake.
| Coin Type | Value Range |
|---|---|
| Regular 1981 Penny | $0.01 – $5 |
| 1981 Dime | $0.10 – $5 |
| 1981 11-Cent Error Coin | $800 – $1,500+ |
🔥 One example recently sold for $1,458 at auction.
🧐 How to Spot One in Your Change
- Look for wrong metal color (penny should be copper-colored, not silver).
- Tilt the coin—if you see traces of both Lincoln and Roosevelt, you might have one.
- Check the weight: a dime planchet weighs less than a penny.
👉 If you find one, don’t spend it—get it graded by PCGS or NGC.
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