📰 Breaking News: A Manhattan Record Sale
On March 15, 2025, a 1951-D Lincoln Wheat Cent sold for an astonishing $350,000 to a private New York collector.
This coin wasn’t just old — it featured multiple dramatic mint errors that combined to create one of the rarest and most valuable pennies of the 1950s.
💎 What Made This Penny Worth $350K?
1️⃣ Extreme Doubled Die Obverse (Class V)
- Strong doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY”
- Secondary images visible even at 3x magnification
- Only 2 known 1951-D examples with this level of doubling
2️⃣ Major Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)
- “D over D” misalignment at a 45° angle
- Triple-struck mint mark (extremely rare)
- PCGS-certified FS-502 variety
3️⃣ Dramatic Die Break Errors
- Raised die crack running through wheat stalks
- Large “cud” break at the 7 o’clock position on reverse
- Signs of terminal die state
🔍 How to Spot a Six-Figure 1951-D Penny
Identification Checklist:
✅ Date & Mint: 1951-D (Denver)
✅ Weight: 3.11g (copper composition)
✅ Doubling: Strong separation in obverse lettering
✅ RPM: Overlapping “D” mint marks
✅ Die Breaks: Raised lines or cracks on reverse
📊 Grading & Value Comparison
| Grade | Normal 1951-D | This Error Coin |
|---|---|---|
| MS-60 | $2 | $350,000 |
| RPM Only | $25 | — |
| DDO Only | $50 | — |
| Combined Errors | — | $350,000 |
🏆 Why This Coin Made History
- Error Combination: First known 1951-D with both a major DDO and RPM
- Condition: PCGS MS-65RB with full luster
- Provenance: Came from an original Denver Mint roll
- Perfect Timing: Bought by a specialist collector completing an error set
🔍 Could Another Exist?
While this $350K coin is unique, other valuable 1951-D errors include:
- Off-Center Strikes (30%+): $1,000 – $5,000
- Double Struck: $10,000+
- Full Brockage: $25,000+
📌 What To Do If You Think You Found One
✔ Handle with cotton gloves
✔ Photograph with 10x magnification
✔ Submit to PCGS for error attribution
✔ Contact Heritage Auctions for private sale options
⚠ Important:
- Most 1951-D pennies are only worth 5¢ – $5
- Only PCGS/NGC-certified errors can reach six-figure values
🆓 Get a Professional Evaluation
📱 Text “1951ERROR” to 555-1951
🔍 Visit: PCGS.com/coinfacts
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