A Shocking Discovery in the Coin Collecting World
Most people don’t pay attention to pennies, but one special coin has surprised collectors everywhere. A 1959-D Lincoln Wheat Penny, which experts thought couldn’t exist, has been found. Now it’s worth $50,000.
This isn’t a normal penny. It’s a mule error coin, made when the printing plates didn’t match. This rare mistake makes it very valuable. The front shows 1959-D, but the back still has the old Wheat Ear design that was supposed to stop being used in 1958.
Why Is This Penny So Special?
In 1959, the U.S. Mint changed the penny design from wheat ears to the Lincoln Memorial. That means no 1959 pennies should have wheat ears. But this one somehow got made, either by accident or on purpose, making it a collector’s dream.
What makes this coin amazing:
Only one or two are known to exist.
It shouldn’t exist according to official records.
Experts have checked it and confirmed it’s real.
This mix of being rare, mysterious, and officially real makes it worth so much.
What Is a Mule Coin?
A mule coin happens when the front and back designs don’t match. This hardly ever happens today because of strict quality checks. The 1959-D Wheat Penny is famous because:
It breaks the official rules.
It makes experts question what they knew.
Top coin checkers like PCGS have said it’s real.
Coins like this can sell for $50,000 or more.
Quick Facts About This Rare Penny
Year: 1959
Mint Mark: D (Denver)
Front: Abraham Lincoln
Back: Wheat Ears (old design)
Mistake: Wrong back design
Value: Up to $50,000+
If you have one, you might have a small fortune.
Should You Check Your Pennies?
With this coin being so valuable, many people are looking through their change. The chances of finding one are very small, but it’s happened before. Here’s what to look for:
- 1959-D date on the front.
- Wheat ears on the back (not the Lincoln Memorial).
- Clear details that show it hasn’t been changed.
- Get it checked by experts before getting too excited.
FAQs
How many of these coin exist?
Only one or two are confirmed to be real.
How do I know if I have one?
If your penny has 1959-D on the front and wheat ears on the back, have experts check it.
Was this a mistake or done on purpose?
No one knows for sure – it could have been an accident or someone at the mint breaking the rules.
Where was this coin found?
The first one turned up in someone’s private collection and was verified in the early 2000s.