A Lucky Find in an Old Box
Imagine opening an old cereal box and finding a treasure inside. That’s exactly what happened to Dennis Wallace, a 43-year-old from Michigan, when he was cleaning out his late grandma’s attic. Tucked inside a sealed 1972 cereal box was a rare Lincoln penny worth about $90,000. This wasn’t just any penny but a special one with a double die error, making it a hot item for coin collectors. The discovery has folks buzzing, wondering what other treasures might be hiding in old boxes.
The Cereal Box Surprise
Dennis found the cereal box while sorting through his grandma’s stuff. It was unopened, still wrapped in plastic, and had a small prize inside labeled “Special U.S. Mint Edition.” Inside was a Lincoln penny from 1972 with a unique flaw. The double die error means the design was stamped twice, making words like “LIBERTY” and “1972” look doubled. This mistake is super rare, and collectors pay big money for it. Dennis didn’t know it at first, but this penny was a goldmine.
What Makes This Penny Special
The 1972 Lincoln penny is part of a series that started in 1909 to honor Abraham Lincoln. In 1972, the U.S. Mint made over 5.9 billion pennies, but a few from the Philadelphia Mint had this double die error. Experts think about 20,000 of these error coins got out, and they’re hard to find today. The penny Dennis found was in great shape, with a shiny red color, which makes it even more valuable. In top condition, these coins can sell for $10,000 to $90,000, depending on how clear the doubling is.
| Penny Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Year | 1972 |
| Mint | Philadelphia (No Mint Mark) |
| Error | Double Die Obverse |
| Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Zinc |
How to Spot the Valuable Penny
Want to check your own pennies? Look at a 1972 penny with a magnifying glass. On the front, check the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” plus the date “1972.” If they look doubled or blurry, you might have a winner. The penny should have no mint mark, meaning it’s from Philadelphia. Also, check its color. Red pennies are worth more than brown ones. Dennis’s penny was bright red and uncirculated, which is why it’s valued so high.
| Identification Tip | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Doubling | Blurry “LIBERTY” and “1972” |
| Mint Mark | None (Philadelphia) |
| Color | Bright red (RD) |
| Condition | Uncirculated, no wear |
Why Collectors Want It
Coin collectors love these pennies because they’re so rare. The double die error happened by accident, and the U.S. Mint usually catches these mistakes. A 1972 double die penny in okay shape can sell for $150 to $500, but one in perfect condition, like Dennis’s, can fetch up to $90,000 at auctions. Some have even sold for $14,400 in top grades. The rarity and history make it a prize for anyone into coins, and finding one in a cereal box is just wild.
What to Do If You Find One
If you think you’ve got a 1972 double die penny, handle it carefully. Put it in a plastic sleeve to keep it safe from scratches or dirt. Take it to a coin dealer or a grading service like PCGS to check if it’s real and what it’s worth. Dennis plans to get his graded and might sell it at an auction. You can also check online marketplaces, but be careful to use trusted sites. A pro grading can make the penny worth more by proving it’s the real deal.
Start Your Own Treasure Hunt
Dennis’s find shows that treasures can hide in the weirdest places, like an old cereal box. Next time you’re at a garage sale or digging through old stuff, keep an eye out for 1972 pennies. You don’t need to be a collector to get excited about finding something worth thousands. So, check your change, old boxes, or even your attic. You never know when you might stumble on a penny worth a fortune.