New York Mint Mystery: 1989 Lincoln Cent With “Bullet Dot” Error Sells for Half a Million
A 1989 Lincoln Memorial penny featuring a bizarre “bullet dot” error—believed to be linked to a New York police evidence mishap—has sold for $500,000 at auction, making it one of the most controversial coins ever.
The Shocking Backstory
🔫 The “Police Error” Legend:
- Reportedly struck over a police evidence bullet fragment at the Philadelphia Mint
- Tiny embedded metal dot (resembles a bullet impact)
- Rumored to be from a NYPD evidence mix-up during minting
- Never officially confirmed by the U.S. Mint
Why Collectors Pay $500K+
💰 Key Features:
- “Bullet dot” embedded in Lincoln’s cheek
- Unique die crack pattern (resembles “shattered glass”)
- Only 3-5 confirmed specimens
- PCGS MS-66 RB (Red-Brown)
🔥 Recent Sales:
- MS-66 RB: $500,000 (2024, private sale)
- MS-65 BN: $250,000 (2023)
How to Spot This Rare Error
1️⃣ Check the Date: Must be 1989 (no mintmark)
2️⃣ Examine Lincoln’s Cheek:
- Look for a small, raised metallic dot
- Surrounding die cracks may appear
3️⃣ Verify Authenticity: - Only PCGS/NGC-certified examples hold value
- Beware of fakes (common scam)
Where More Could Surface
🔎 Old evidence lockers (NYPD storage)
🔎 Philadelphia Mint “error bins” (if any survived)
🔎 Crime memorabilia collections
What To Do If You Find One
🚨 Do NOT clean or alter the coin (evidence tampering laws may apply)
📞 Contact a rare coin attorney (legal ownership may be disputed)
💎 Submit to PCGS with “error” designation
💰 Auction through specialized crime memorabilia houses
“This isn’t just a coin—it’s a piece of forensic history.”
— Dr. Alan Voss, Numismatic Crime Investigator
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