The Denver Mint struck this Lincoln penny back in 1913.
It carries the classic portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the front and two wheat stalks on the back.
Denver had only started minting Lincoln cents a few years earlier in 1911.
Because the facility was fairly new to making copper cents, production numbers were lower than in Philadelphia.
Most of these pennies entered daily circulation right away.
People spent them on newspapers, candy, and streetcar rides.
Hardly anyone thought to save them in brand-new condition back then.
That makes early Denver issues especially tough to find with their original bright copper color.
A top-tier example of this cent sold for $36,000 through Heritage Auctions.
Professional coin graders certified the piece in Mint State Red condition.
Mint State means the coin never saw any circulation wear and still has its original factory luster.
The Red designation means the copper retained nearly all of its bright, fiery orange color from the day it was struck.
Copper naturally reacts with air and moisture over time, turning brown or red-brown.
Finding a century-old copper coin that never toned brown is a rare event.
Serious registry set collectors competed aggressively at auction to secure this specific piece.
The main driver of value here is condition rarity.
While worn 1913-D pennies are not impossible to find, full red examples are exceptionally scarce.
Most surviving 1913-D cents have turned deep chocolate brown after decades of handling.
A coin must show at least 95 percent of its original mint color to earn a Red label from grading services.
Early branch mint Lincoln cents are notorious for weak strikes and spotted surfaces.
When a specimen survives with flawless copper surfaces and full color, demand skyrockets.
Every Lincoln penny collector wants high-grade pieces for their albums, but very few exist to meet that demand.
You can identify this coin by following a few simple steps.
First, look at the front of the coin to the right of Lincoln's chest.
You should see the date 1913 clearly stamped into the metal.
Directly beneath the date, look for a small letter D mint mark.
If there is no letter below the date, the coin was struck in Philadelphia instead.
Use a 5x or 10x magnifying glass under good lighting to check the surface quality.
Examine the color to see if it shows bright orange-red luster or dark brown patina.
Look closely at Lincoln's cheek and jawline for signs of friction, rubbing, or wear.
If you want a quick starting point, a mobile tool like CoinKnow or Coin Value Checker can help you scan the details and get a baseline reading.
Keep in mind that average, brown, circulated coins carry standard values and will not match top auction records.
Only certified, uncirculated specimens with original full red color command five-figure prices.
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