The United States Mint struck this special Lincoln cent in 2009.
It was made at the Philadelphia Mint, which means it carries no mint mark below the date.
The coin is made of a copper-plated zinc core, just like modern pennies.
Collectors refer to its bright original copper color as Red, or RD.
This piece ranks at number 58 on the list of the 200 most valuable pennies.
The 2009 issue stands out because the Mint changed the reverse design for the first time in fifty years.
Instead of the standard shield or Memorial building, this issue started a special four-coin tribute.
One exceptional example of this coin sold for $4,800 at auction.
Stack's Bowers handled the sale in April 2025.
A major grading service certified the penny in the remarkable grade of MS-68 RD.
The MS-68 grade means the coin is nearly flawless under magnification.
It shows zero trace of wear from circulation and retains its original bright red luster.
Finding modern zinc cents preserved in this condition is extremely difficult.
Serious registry set collectors competed aggressively to push the price to this record level.
The high price comes down strictly to condition rarity and collector interest.
The year 2009 marked the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth.
To celebrate his 200th birthday, the Mint created four different reverse designs showing stages of his life.
This coin features the Birth and Early Childhood design, which depicts a simple log cabin.
Millions of these pennies entered circulation, so average pocket-change examples are worth only face value.
Zinc pennies are soft and spot easily, making pristine surfaces very tough to find.
High-grade registry collectors want the absolute finest preserved examples of modern commemorative issues.
When a top-tier MS-68 coin appears on the market, collectors are willing to pay thousands to secure it.
Start by looking at the obverse to verify the 2009 date.
Check the space beneath the date to make sure there is no mint mark.
Flip the coin over to inspect the reverse artwork carefully.
You need to see the rustic log cabin design representing Lincoln's childhood in Kentucky.
Do not confuse it with the other three 2009 designs, which show his formative years, his professional life, or the unfinished Capitol dome.
If you want a fast way to confirm your coin before taking a closer look, you can scan it with Coin Value Checker or CoinKnow on your phone.
Use a 5x or 10x jeweler's loupe to inspect the surfaces for scratches, carbon spots, or fingerprint stains.
To have any significant value, the coin must be completely uncirculated and maintain its full, fiery red copper shine.
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