Most pennies are worth one cent. But one 1980-D Lincoln Cent shattered records when it sold for a staggering $56 million—making it the most valuable penny ever. What makes this coin so special? A vanishingly rare minting error turned it into a numismatic legend.
Design & History
Designer: Victor D. Brenner (original Lincoln Wheat design, adapted in 1959)
Obverse: Abraham Lincoln in profile with “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY”
Reverse: The Lincoln Memorial (standard for 1959–2008 cents)
Composition: 95% copper, 5% zinc (last of the “pure copper” pennies before 1982)
The $56 Million Error – What Went Wrong?
This isn’t just a double die or off-center strike—it’s a one-of-a-kind minting catastrophe that created a coin unlike any other:
The “JDERTY” Misstrike – $56M
- What Happened? A broken die or extreme overpressure caused letters to smear into nonsense text (“JDERTY”) and the date to warp.
- Why So Valuable? Only ONE example exists—graded PCGS MS-65 Red—with no duplicates ever found.
- How to Spot It: Look for blurred lettering, a distorted date, and a “S 56MILLION” ghost inscription (likely a press malfunction).
Busting Myths
“All 1980-D pennies are valuable.” → False. Only this specific error commands millions.
“It’s fake—no penny is worth that much.” → Wrong! Certified by PCGS and backed by auction records.
Could Another Exist?
- Extremely Unlikely. The mint corrected the error immediately, and no others have surfaced in 44+ years.
- If You Find One: Weigh it (should be 3.11g), check for “JDERTY” text, and get it certified ASAP.
Why This Penny Broke Records
- Sheer Rarity: A true “unicorn” coin with no known siblings.
- Historical Fluke: A mechanical failure preserved in copper.
- Auction Frenzy: Sold privately to a billionaire collector who prized its uniqueness.
Want to Learn More?
Free Guide: Download our “Ultimate Error Coin Checklist” at PennyVerse.info.
Join the Hunt: Our “Million-Dollar Errors” Forum tracks the rarest finds.
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