A normal appearing ‘penny’ can also be a fortune of ₹ 12 lakhs – The unexpected tale of 2020-D Shield Penny
We usually disregard a penny or a small coin, but if noticed closely, that small coin may turn our destiny. In the recent past, much has been talked about a unique ‘2020-D Lincoln Shield Penny’ produced in 2020 in America.
This coin can appear regular, however due to a uncommon minting mistake, it’s been located in it, because of which its fee has come up to $15,000 (approximately ₹12 lakhs). Just believe – a small coin that normally receives omitted within the pocket could make a significant distinction for your existence.
What is special about the 2020-D Shield Penny?
This coin was minted in 2020 at the Denver Mint facility in the US and the design is extremely popular. There is an image of President Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and a Union Shield on the reverse.
But the unique thing is that certain editions of this coin contain double die or mint error — that is, some error happened in the production of the coin which was later detected and that coin turned out to be very expensive for collectors.
Some things which seem unusual about these unique coins are:
- Slight double lining on the date “2020” or the word “LIBERTY” (Double Die)
- The print of the coin is slightly crooked or uneven
- The off-center design is printed off-center (Off-Center)
- A portion of the coin’s edge is clipped (Clipped Planchet)
How to know that you have such a coin?
When you come across a 2020-D Shield penny, observe it carefully in good light or inspect it using a magnifying glass.
Here are a few things to remember:
- Double lining in the date (2020) and LIBERTY is an indication.
- Check for the “D” mint mark — which means that the coin was produced at the Denver Mint.
- If the design is askew or any section appears to be missing – then this too is a sign of mishap.
- Examine carefully too the shape and edge of the coin – is it cut or incomplete?
You can obtain preliminary information by photographing this coin and posting it in any online coin collectors forum or Facebook group.
Why is this penny so costly?
The U.S. Mint (where American coins are produced) has highly strict quality control. Hence, such mistakes are extremely uncommon in any coin.
And even if there is a misprint, coins are very soon in the hands of collectors. This is why such coins are much sought after, and particularly if they are in mint condition, their value shoots through the roof.
Another penny that had a good doubled die with no flaws and was in exceedingly fine condition (MS67 grade) was sold for $15,000 (₹12 lakh+).
What to do if you discover a coin like this?
- Don’t clean or polish a coin. This can significantly decrease its value.
- Photograph both sides of the coin with good quality photos.
- Post them on a coin collecting website, forum or Facebook group — the experts there can assist you.
- Then get it professionally graded by a service like PCGS or NGC to find out its true identity and value.
- Keep the coin in a safe, dry location until it’s graded.
Note: Not every flaw has value
Not every scratch or small change will render the coin valuable. Some coins wear or become scratched after they’ve been minted — such things don’t make it worth more. Only those mistakes are worth money that happened at the time of coin production and are plainly evident.
Why are people interested in such coins these days?
These days, during the time of inflation and uncertainty in the economy, most people are investigating coins and exploring past collections. At times such inquiries result in discovering things worth lakhs.
Incidents like the 2020-D Shield Penny are inspiring people to believe perhaps they too have a treasure to discover.
Conclusion: Every penny is worth something — at times more than required!
So the next time you receive change from a store or you drain your piggy bank of loose coins, glance at that 2020-D Shield Penny.
Who knows, that coin which appears to be worth 1 cent to you – may prove to be a surprise worth ₹12 Lakhs!
FAQs
Q1: What is the 2020-D Shield Penny?
A1: It’s a U.S. one-cent coin minted in Denver in 2020. Rare error versions with minting mistakes have sold for up to ₹12 lakhs due to collector demand.
Q2: Why is this penny considered valuable?
A2: Certain 2020-D Shield Pennies have minting errors like doubled die, clipped edges, or off-center prints — rare mistakes that dramatically increase their worth among collectors.
Q3: What minting errors should I look for on this coin?
A3: Look for double lines on “2020” or “LIBERTY,” off-center designs, crooked prints, or clipped edges. These are indicators of valuable minting errors.
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