The 2021 Shield cent is a modern copper-plated zinc penny struck by the United States Mint.
This specific coin was produced at the main facility in Philadelphia.
It belongs to the long-running Lincoln cent series that collectors have loved for generations.
The front carries Victor David Brenner's classic portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
The back features the Union Shield design, which replaced the old Memorial design in 2010.
Like most modern cents, it has a core made of zinc coated with a thin layer of pure copper.
This entry on our list shows that modern pocket change can still hold major surprises.
A top-grade specimen of this modern penny sold for $3,335 in an eBay auction.
The sale took place in September 2023 after strong bidding from specialist collectors.
Professional coin graders certified the penny at an extraordinary grade of MS-68 Red.
The MS-68 grade means the coin is almost flawless under magnification.
The Red designation means it retains nearly all of its original bright copper luster.
High-grade modern pieces rarely come this clean straight from the mint presses.
Bidders competed hard because finding another one in this exact state of preservation is very difficult.
Billions of pennies were made in 2021, so the date itself is not scarce.
The high price comes down entirely to what collectors call condition rarity.
Coins leave the mint machines at high speed and collide with each other in huge storage bins.
Those heavy impacts leave tiny nicks, scratches, and contact marks on nearly every single piece.
Most 2021 cents you pull from circulation will grade MS-65 or lower because of bag marks.
Finding a coin with pristine surfaces and zero zinc spots requires searching thousands of fresh coins.
This record shows that valuable coins are not just old historical artifacts from the distant past.
Modern pieces can climb high on value lists when their physical preservation is exceptional.
Registry set collectors actively compete for the single best-known examples of every modern year.
Start by looking at the front of your coin to verify the date says 2021.
Check the space beneath the date to see if there is a mint mark.
A Philadelphia cent will show no letter under the date at all.
Philadelphia used a P mint mark on pennies only once, back in 2017, before returning to no mark.
If you see a small letter D below the date, your coin was struck in Denver instead.
Turn the coin over to make sure it displays the Union Shield on the back.
Grab a 10x jeweler loupe and look closely at Lincoln's cheek, shoulder, and fields.
Check for any tiny contact marks, carbon spots, or dull gray zinc patches breaking through the copper.
To qualify for a record price, the surface must be spotless with full original mint luster.
You can scan the coin with CoinKnow or Coin Value Checker to get a quick read on what you have.
Remember that worn pocket change from your wallet will not be worth this record price.
Only flawless, certified coins saved directly from original bank rolls achieve these top results.
If you want a number and not a lesson, check our breakdown of each free coin identifier apps we tried.
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