The San Francisco Mint struck this special Lincoln cent in 1995 for collectors.
Proof coins are made using polished dies and specially prepared blanks to create a mirror-like finish.
The 1995 date is famous among penny collectors because of a major doubled die error on circulating coins made in Philadelphia.
While that regular coin made national news, the San Francisco Mint was busy making these collector-only proof versions.
A Deep Cameo designation means there is a sharp, frosty white design sitting on top of a pitch-black, reflective field.
Every single one of these proof cents left the mint inside protective plastic sets rather than loose in pocket change.
Heritage Auctions sold a top-tier example of this penny for $2,530.
The sale took place in November of 2002 during a major numismatic event.
Professional coin graders certified the penny as a perfect PR-70 Deep Cameo.
The 70 grade is the top of the standard coin grading scale.
A grade of PR-70 means the coin has zero post-production flaws, scratches, or spots under 5x magnification.
Bidders competed aggressively for this coin because modern perfection is difficult to achieve on copper-plated zinc planchets.
Modern proof coins are made carefully, but absolute perfection is still surprisingly scarce.
Even tiny contact marks from the minting room or slight haze from packaging can drop a coin to PR-69.
Most collectors can easily find a 1995-S proof in PR-69 for just a few dollars.
The jump in value from PR-69 to PR-70 is massive for modern registry set collectors.
Registry set builders want the single finest known examples to compete for the top spots on collector leaderboards.
This competition drives huge prices for coins that are flawless in every way.
The stark visual contrast of the Deep Cameo finish adds even more appeal for high-end buyers.
A price tag of $2,530 reflects the price of technical perfection rather than pure mintage rarity.
The first thing to check on your 1995 cent is the mint mark right below the date.
A proof version carries an S mint mark to show it was struck in San Francisco.
Do not confuse this proof coin with the famous 1995 doubled die business strike, which has no mint mark and shows heavy doubling on the front lettering.
Hold the coin under a single direct light source and tilt it gently.
You should see mirror-shiny fields reflecting the light and a frosted, matte finish on Lincoln and the Memorial building.
Look at the surfaces with a 10x jeweler loupe to search for any tiny copper spots, haze, or hairline scratches.
If you want a quick first check on a coin you found, you can scan it using Coin Value Checker to see what type of strike you have.
Keep in mind that finding an authentic PR-70 in raw, uncertified condition is nearly impossible.
Coins that sell for thousands are always certified by major third-party grading services to prove they are truly flawless.
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