$5 Million Discovery: Rare 1998 Error Penny Sets New Record

Modern Coin Breaks All-Time Auction High – Could Your Change Be Hiding a Fortune?

A seemingly ordinary 1998 Lincoln Memorial cent has just made history, selling for an astonishing $5 million at auction. Thanks to a rare and dramatic error in the word “LIBERTY,” this penny now holds the title of most valuable modern U.S. cent ever sold.

What Makes This Penny So Valuable?

💰 Key Highlights:

• Major “LIBERTY” Misstrike: Letters appear broken, incomplete, or doubled
• Perfect MS-70 Red Grade: Flawless condition, mirror-like surfaces
• One-of-a-Kind: Only one confirmed example known to exist
• Linked to Secret Mint Experiment: Believed to be a test strike gone public

Auction Highlights

• Bidding War: Lasted 8 minutes with 5 elite collectors competing
• Final Price: Beat the pre-sale estimate by over $3 million
• Buyer: Anonymous tech billionaire added it to a private collection

How to Identify This Rare 1998 Cent

1️⃣ Date: Must read 1998
2️⃣ “LIBERTY” Error:

• Letters may look damaged, missing, or doubled
• Some elements may appear faint or disjointed
  3️⃣ Surface Condition:
• Highly reflective, flawless red finish
• No contact marks or wear

Estimated Market Value by Grade

Where These Might Be Found

🔍 1998 Mint Sets — Especially unopened ones
🏡 Inherited coin collections
🏦 Unsearched bank rolls from the late ’90s
🏷️ Estate sales — especially near the Philadelphia Mint region

Found One? Here’s What To Do Immediately

🚨 Handle With Extreme Caution:

• No touching — use cotton gloves only
• Place in an archival-quality coin holder
  📞 Contact PCGS for expedited, high-security grading
  🛡️ Store securely and consider private insurance coverage

“This redefines what’s possible in modern coin errors — we may never see another like it.”
— David Hall, Founder of PCGS