In 2009, the United States Mint celebrated Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday and the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent.
To honor his life, the Mint issued four different reverse designs throughout that single year.
This coin is the fourth and final design of that Bicentennial program.
Struck at the Denver Mint, it features a small D mint mark below the date on the front.
Like other modern cents, it is made of copper-plated zinc.
The "RD" in its name stands for full Red, which means it retains its bright, original copper color.
While millions of these pennies entered circulation, finding one in near-flawless condition is genuinely tough.
A premier example of this modern penny stunned collectors when it crossed the auction block.
In August 2016, Heritage Auctions sold a top-grade specimen for a massive $4,700.
The coin was certified in a stellar grade of MS-68 Red.
The "MS" stands for Mint State, which means the coin never saw daily circulation.
On the standard 70-point grading scale, an MS-68 grade is nearly perfect.
It means the coin has virtually zero noticeable contact marks, scratches, or manufacturing flaws.
The full Red designation confirms that the copper surface has not darkened or turned brown over time.
A price like this represents a rare high point for a coin that is only a few years old.
The reverse design shows the United States Capitol dome under construction.
This image symbolizes Lincoln's presidency during the Civil War and the preservation of the Union.
Collectors were eager to assemble complete four-coin sets right from the start.
Even though the Denver Mint made a large number of these coins, modern zinc cents damage very easily.
Freshly minted zinc pennies often develop spots, contact dings, and surface haze inside storage bags.
Because of this softness, coins grading MS-67 are uncommon, and coins reaching MS-68 are true condition rarities.
Registry set collectors compete fiercely to own the single finest known examples of every modern issue.
That high-level collector rivalry is what pushes the price of a top-tier coin well into the thousands.
Keep in mind that your everyday pocket change will not bring this kind of money.
You can identify this specific release by looking at both sides of the coin.
Start on the obverse and look for the year 2009 with a small letter D right underneath it.
Turn the coin over to inspect the reverse artwork.
You should see the unfinished Capitol dome with scaffolding around it, rather than the Lincoln Memorial or the Union Shield.
Do not confuse this with the other three 2009 designs, which show a log cabin, Lincoln reading on a log, or Lincoln standing before the Illinois Capitol.
Hold the coin under bright light using a 5x or 10x jeweler's loupe to inspect the surfaces.
Look for bright red luster without any tiny black spots, fingerprints, or bag marks.
If you want a quick first look at your find, a mobile tool like Coin Value Checker can help you confirm the basics before you seek out a grading service.
Only certified pieces with an official MS-68 Red grade will ever reach top-tier auction values.
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