A 1919 Lincoln penny sold for an incredible $298,125 at auction. A coin worth just one cent when it was made ended up selling for nearly $300,000.
The biggest reason was its extraordinary condition. The penny still had its original bright red color, along with a strong shine and sharp details.
This coin received an MS-69 RD grade, which is an exceptionally high grade for a Lincoln cent from 1919. Coins in this condition are extremely difficult to find.
About 392 million Lincoln cents were struck in 1919. That means the age alone did not make every 1919 penny valuable.
The coin is made of 95% copper, with tin and zinc making up the rest. It weighs 3.11 grams and measures 19 millimeters across.
Most pennies that are more than 100 years old show wear, scratches, or a darker color. This example stood out because so much of its original mint appearance was still preserved.
GreatCollections described it as a “true trophy condition rarity.” For collectors, finding an early Lincoln cent with its original red color intact can make the coin especially desirable.
The $298,125 price made it the most expensive coin sold in that Sunday's GreatCollections auction. It even surpassed a rare 1913 $20 gold coin that sold for $192,937.50.