Breaking News: Rare 1968 Lincoln Cent With Major Off-Center Strike Sells for $2.2 Million!
A 1968 Lincoln Memorial penny with one of the most extreme misaligned die strikes ever recorded has shattered auction records — selling for an incredible $2.2 million at Heritage Auctions. This rare minting error has now become one of the most valuable die-struck coins in modern U.S. history.
Why This 1968 Penny Is Worth Millions
- Massive Misalignment: Obverse die strike is 30–40% off-center
- Visible Letter Shift: “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” nearly touch the rim
- No Mintmark: Struck at the Philadelphia Mint
- Extreme Rarity: Only 3 to 5 known examples with this level of misalignment
- Certified Grade: PCGS MS-64 BN (Brown) – an exceptional condition for such an error
Recent Sale Prices
| Grade | Sale Price | Auction Year |
|---|---|---|
| MS-64 BN | $2,200,000 | 2024 (Heritage Auctions) |
| MS-63 RB | $1,100,000 | 2023 |
| AU-58 | $500,000 | 2022 |
How This Rare Error Occurred
This million-dollar mistake happened during a misalignment of the obverse die inside the coining press. As a result, the design was struck severely off-center, creating a dramatic visual shift. Miraculously, a few coins bypassed quality control and entered circulation.
How to Identify a Valuable Misaligned Die Error
- Look for Design Shift:
- “LIBERTY” and the date should be close to the rim
- One side has a thicker rim, while the other may appear almost rimless
- Check Authenticity:
- Genuine errors show smooth, curved metal flow
- No tool marks or evidence of cutting, which are common in fakes
- Grade Matters:
- Mint State (MS) coins with full detail and luster fetch the highest prices
Estimated Value Guide
| Grade | Estimated Value Range |
|---|---|
| MS-65+ | $3 million+ |
| MS-64 | $1.5 million – $2.5 million |
| MS-63 | $800,000 – $1.2 million |
| AU-55 | $300,000 – $500,000 |
Where You Might Find One
These rare coins may still be hiding in:
- Old penny rolls from the 1960s
- Unsearched bank bags stored for decades
- Inherited coin collections
- Estate sales, particularly in the Northeastern U.S.
What To Do If You Find One
- Handle with care – always by the edges (use cotton gloves)
- Take high-resolution macro photos of both sides
- Submit to PCGS or NGC for official error grading
- Contact top auction houses like Heritage or Stack’s Bowers
“This level of misalignment is almost unheard of. It’s a once-in-a-generation mint error.”
— Michael Carter, President of PCGS
