Collectors from around the world are excited as one of the rarest US coins that was accidentally found by a teenager in his change after he paid for lunch at a school cafeteria is up for auction now. This is the 1943 copper Lincoln cent that was produced by the U.S. Mint by mistake, and is now described as the “most famous” coin made in error. Currently 1943 copper Lincoln cent is being offered by Heritage Auctions. It is expected to fetch up to $1.7 million when it is auctioned off.
In 1942, pennies were supposed to be struck from steel, in order to conserve copper for more important necessities. However, a small number of bronze blanks were caught in the Mint’s presses and were struck into pennies. The resulting “copper” cents were lost in the flood of millions of “steel” cents, and accidentally slipped into circulation. It is believed only 20 of the rare coins were made, one of which was found by a 16-year-old coin collector Don Lutes Jr. of Pittsfield, Mass. in March 1947. He preserved the coin. Lutes died last year, and 1943 copper Lincoln cent is now up for auction with the starting bid of $100,000. Another 1943 copper cent was sold by a New Jersey dealer to an anonymous buyer for $1.7 million in 2010.
Such interesting discoveries are not rare in the world of philately as well. For example, the third example of Canada 1868 “large-queen-on-laid” stamp was accidentally found in a circuit book that was bought by an unnamed collector for roughly five dollars. Or let`s remember the collection of rare Chinese stamps that has been collecting dust in an attic for more than 100 years. It was offered by Daniel Keller Auctions for a quarter of million pounds in May, 2015. So, be attentive! Maybe your stamp album hides the real treasure in it…
