The Philadelphia Mint struck billions of Lincoln Memorial cents in 1971.
Because it came from Philadelphia, this coin has no mint mark below the date.
Most 1971 pennies are common pocket change, but a few left the mint with a major error.
A hubbing mistake created a doubled die obverse, creating duplicate details right on the coin die.
Collectors catalog this specific doubled die variety as FS-101.
Coins kept in their original bright copper state earn the red designation.
This red finish means the original mint color stayed intact without turning brown over time.
The record sale for this variety reached a massive $14,950.
Stack's Bowers handled the auction for this piece in November 2011.
The coin achieved a certified grade of MS-66 Red from a major grading service.
MS stands for Mint State, which means the coin never circulated in daily commerce.
A grade of 66 indicates a very clean strike with only minor imperfections.
Finding an error penny from this era with no wear and full original color is quite difficult.
This combination of high grade, red surfaces, and clear doubling explains the winning bid.
Doubled dies are among the most popular varieties in American coin collecting.
The 1971 FS-101 is one of the most recognized doubled die varieties in the entire Memorial cent series.
Collectors actively hunt for it to complete specialty sets of Lincoln cents.
The doubling is bold and visible, which always drives up collector interest.
Most regular 1971 pennies ended up worn down in circulation or discolored over time.
Very few examples survived in pristine, gem uncirculated condition.
Steady collector demand meets a tiny supply of top-grade pieces, pushing prices to record levels.
You can check your 1971 cents at home with a few simple steps.
First, verify that your penny has no mint mark under the date to confirm it was made in Philadelphia.
Grab a 10x magnifying glass or a jeweler loupe under strong light.
Look closely at the word LIBERTY on the left side of Lincoln.
The doubling is strongest on the letters of LIBERTY.
Check the motto IN GOD WE TRUST along the top edge as well.
You want to see raised, rounded secondary images on the letters.
Do not confuse this true doubled die with flat, shelf-like machine doubling.
Machine doubling happens during striking and adds no extra value.
If you need help checking the details, you can use CoinKnow or Coin Value Checker to scan your coin and get a quick first opinion.
Keep in mind that heavily worn examples will not command thousands of dollars like the certified gem record holder.
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