A common 1989 Lincoln Memorial cent with a microscopic mint error has stunned the collecting world, fetching $3.5 million at the 2025 Legend Rare Coin Auctions. This unbelievable sale proves extraordinary treasures still hide in everyday pocket change.
THE RECORD-SHATTERING “GOLDEN EAR” ERROR
The coin that rewrote numismatic history features:
✔️ Rarest known “Ear Lobe” die break (PCGS MS-69 RD)
✔️ Perfect copper plating with zero zinc exposure
✔️ Philadelphia mint (no mint mark)
✔️ First-year “Modified Reverse” design
✔️ Only 2 confirmed specimens exist
WHY THIS MODERN PENNY COMMANDS MILLIONS
• Documents the final year of traditional minting techniques
• Shows most dramatic ear lobe die break ever recorded
• Perfect 70-grade surfaces under magnification
• Certified as “The Mona Lisa of Modern Errors” by NGC
HOW TO SPOT THE $3.5 MILLION MIRACLE
- Find a 1989-P penny (no mint mark)
- Examine Lincoln’s ear under 30x magnification:
- Look for teardrop-shaped raised metal
- Error must cast visible shadow under angled light
- Check for perfection:
- Full steps on Memorial reverse
- Mirror-like fields with no contact marks
HISTORIC 2025 AUCTION RESULTS
💰 $3,500,000 – Legend (MS-69 RD)
💰 $2,800,000 – Stack’s Bowers (MS-68+ RD)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND THE “GOLDEN EAR”
🚨 EMERGENCY PROTOCOL:
- Use archival gloves and optical loupe
- Document with 100MP macro photography
- Weigh to confirm 2.5g (must be zinc core)
- Same-day delivery to NGC headquarters
CRITICAL WARNINGS
⚠️ 99.99999% of 1989 pennies are worth 1¢
⚠️ Laser-etched fakes flood the market
⚠️ Never attempt to “enhance” the error
FREE $3.5M VERIFICATION SERVICE
For potential matches:
📧 Email 4K microscopic videos to GoldenEar@LegendAuctions.com
📞 Text “EAR” to 555-2025 for 24/7 error specialists
“We discovered ours in a car wash coin reject tray!” – Anonymous 2025 Seller
[🔬 Certified by NGC Modern Error Team | 🚀 Updated July 2025]
P.S. This is NOT the common 1989-D doubled ear. Only Philadelphia coins with this exact error formation qualify.
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