FORBES-WORTHY FINDS: 3 ORDINARY-LOOKING COINS THAT SOLD FOR OVER $1 MILLION

#1: The “Wrong Metal” Penny (1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent)

💰 Record Sale: $1.7 Million

Why It’s Worth a Fortune

• Historic Mistake: All 1943 pennies were supposed to be made of steel (due to WWII copper shortages). This one was accidentally struck in bronze—a mint worker’s error that created instant rarity.
• Rarity: Only 20-30 exist (vs. billions of steel 1943 pennies).
• Dead Giveaway: It’s copper-colored (not silver/gray) and weighs 3.11g (steel pennies weigh 2.7g).

How to Check Your 1943 Pennies

1. Magnet Test: A real 1943 steel penny sticks; the bronze error won’t.
2. Weigh It: Use a precision scale (3.11g = jackpot).
3. Certify It: Only PCGS/NGC-graded examples sell for millions.

#2: The “Ghost Nickel” (1913 Liberty Nickel)

💰 Record Sale: $4.5 Million

Why It’s Worth a Fortune

• Mystery: Only 5 were ever made—likely struck secretly by a mint employee.
• Key Feature: The reverse misses the word “CENTS” (Type 2 design).
• Drama: One was famously salvaged from a car wreck in 1962.

How to Spot This Unicorn

✅ Date: Must be 1913
✅ Reverse: Buffalo on mound without “CENTS” below
✅ Weight: 5.0 grams
🚨 Warning: All 5 are accounted for—but fakes abound!

#3: America’s First Dollar (1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar)

💰 Record Sale: $10 Million

Why It’s Worth a Fortune

• Historical Holy Grail: The first dollar coin ever minted by the U.S.
• Survivors: Just 140 exist today (from 1,758 originally made).
• Condition Matters: The $10M example was near-perfect (PCGS SP-66).

Could You Own One?

• Look For:
  • Lady Liberty with “flowing hair”
  • Small eagle surrounded by wreath
  • No “In God We Trust” (added later in U.S. coins)
• Reality Check: Most are in museums—but fragments or worn examples still sell for $100K+.

Why THESE Coins Break Records

1. “Oops” Factor: Mint mistakes (wrong metal, missing text) = instant rarity.
2. First-Ever Status: Debut coins always command premiums.
3. Provenance: Famous collections (like the Cardinal Collection) add value.

BEWARE! How to Avoid Scams

❌ “Certified” by unknown companies (only trust PCGS/NGC).
❌ “Replicas” sold as real (check weight/magnetism).
❌ Pressure to “sell now” (real treasures get auctioned).

What to Do If You Find a Potential Million-Dollar Coin

1. Don’t Clean It! (Even water destroys value).
2. Photograph It: Front/back/edge shots in natural light.
3. Get It Graded: Submit to PCGS/NGC (not local shops).
4. Auction It: Heritage or Stack’s Bowers for top dollar.