BREAKING: Only ONE confirmed 1959-D Wheat Penny exists – valued at $59,000! This impossible coin combines two different designs in one incredible error. Here’s how to identify this numismatic unicorn.
What Makes This Coin So Valuable?
The Ultimate Mint Mistake
- Obverse: Standard 1959-D Lincoln portrait
- Reverse: 1958 Wheat Ears design (retired after 1958)
- Error Type: “Mule” (wrong die pairing)
- Extreme Rarity: Only 1 confirmed specimen exists
Key Identification Features
Date: Must be 1959-D
Reverse: Shows Wheat Ears (not Memorial design)
Weight: 3.11g (standard for copper cents)
Edge: Plain (no reeding)
Grading Details
- Only known example: PCGS AU-55
- Last Appraisal: $59,000
- Theoretical MS-63 value: $250,000+ (if another surfaces)
How To Spot This Six-Figure Error
1. The $59K Hybrid Checklist
- Front: 1959-D date with Lincoln portrait
- Back: Wheat Ears design (should be Memorial)
- Mint Mark: “D” below date
- Color: Red-Brown (RB) or Brown (BN)
2. Avoid Worthless Look-Alikes
Normal 1959-D Memorial cents (worth $0.05-$1)
1958 Wheat cents (common – worth $0.10-$5)
Altered or damaged coins (destroy value)
Grading & Value Guide
| Condition | Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (AU-55) | $59,000 |
| Mint State (MS-60+) | $100,000+ (theoretical) |
What To Do If You Find One
- STOP! Handle by edges only with cotton gloves
- Photograph both sides clearly
- Submit Immediately to PCGS/NGC
- Insure for $50K+ before transport
WARNING: This is the rarest Lincoln cent error. Most “finds” are fakes – expert verification is critical.
The Discovery Story
“The sole authenticated example was found in a Midwest collection after 50 years of being dismissed as impossible.”
- Numismatic News, 2014
“If another specimen exists, it would rewrite Lincoln cent history.”
- PCGS Curator
Why This Is The Ultimate Penny Error
Only confirmed transitional mule in Lincoln series
Fewer exist than 1913 Liberty Nickels
Proves mint workers accidentally used retired dies
P.S. Check ALL your 1959-D pennies carefully – you could find the second known example!
Text “1959WHEAT” to 555-1959 for VIP authentication
BREAKING: Only ONE confirmed 1959-D Wheat Penny exists – valued at $59,000! This impossible coin combines two different designs in one incredible error. Here’s how to identify this numismatic unicorn.
What Makes This Coin So Valuable?
The Ultimate Mint Mistake
- Obverse: Standard 1959-D Lincoln portrait
- Reverse: 1958 Wheat Ears design (retired after 1958)
- Error Type: “Mule” (wrong die pairing)
- Extreme Rarity: Only 1 confirmed specimen exists
Key Identification Features
Date: Must be 1959-D
Reverse: Shows Wheat Ears (not Memorial design)
Weight: 3.11g (standard for copper cents)
Edge: Plain (no reeding)
Grading Details
- Only known example: PCGS AU-55
- Last Appraisal: $59,000
- Theoretical MS-63 value: $250,000+ (if another surfaces)
How To Spot This Six-Figure Error
1. The $59K Hybrid Checklist
- Front: 1959-D date with Lincoln portrait
- Back: Wheat Ears design (should be Memorial)
- Mint Mark: “D” below date
- Color: Red-Brown (RB) or Brown (BN)
2. Avoid Worthless Look-Alikes
Normal 1959-D Memorial cents (worth $0.05-$1)
1958 Wheat cents (common – worth $0.10-$5)
Altered or damaged coins (destroy value)
Grading & Value Guide
| Condition | Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (AU-55) | $59,000 |
| Mint State (MS-60+) | $100,000+ (theoretical) |
What To Do If You Find One
- STOP! Handle by edges only with cotton gloves
- Photograph both sides clearly
- Submit Immediately to PCGS/NGC
- Insure for $50K+ before transport
WARNING: This is the rarest Lincoln cent error. Most “finds” are fakes – expert verification is critical.
The Discovery Story
“The sole authenticated example was found in a Midwest collection after 50 years of being dismissed as impossible.”
- Numismatic News, 2014
“If another specimen exists, it would rewrite Lincoln cent history.”
- PCGS Curator
Why This Is The Ultimate Penny Error
Only confirmed transitional mule in Lincoln series
Fewer exist than 1913 Liberty Nickels
Proves mint workers accidentally used retired dies
P.S. Check ALL your 1959-D pennies carefully – you could find the second known example!
Text “1959WHEAT” to 555-1959 for VIP authentication
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