A simple penny you’ve overlooked could be worth a life-changing amount. One rare 2001-D Lincoln cent has made waves in the numismatic world for an extraordinary reason: a minting error that combines the front of a penny with the back of a dime. This so-called “mule error” coin, produced at the Denver Mint, has sold for over $100,000 at auction. While it looks like an ordinary penny on one side, flipping it over reveals a design never meant to be there. If you have one, even in poor shape, it could still be worth tens of thousands.
What makes this Lincoln penny so special
The 2001-D Lincoln cent mule error is a result of a rare mistake at the Denver Mint. While the front (obverse) of the coin features the usual portrait of Abraham Lincoln, the reverse side is where things take a surprising turn: instead of the Lincoln Memorial, it shows the reverse of a Roosevelt dime. This unexpected pairing of obverse and reverse designs is called a "mule" error—an accidental blend of two different coins.
How rare is the 2001-D mule error coin
Only a handful of these coins are known to exist, making them incredibly rare. Experts believe fewer than 10 may have ever entered circulation. Because of this rarity, they’ve become highly valuable in the collector market. Even damaged or worn versions of this coin could sell for $20,000 or more.
Record auction sales
Four of these rare coins have already made headlines with their auction results:
These figures reflect the coin’s growing demand and scarcity, especially among error coin collectors.
Could you own one?
Because these coins were unintentionally released into circulation, it’s possible—though extremely unlikely—that one could still be found in everyday pocket change. The key is to look for a 2001 penny with a "D" mint mark (for Denver) on the front, and then check the reverse. If it shows the torch, olive branch, and oak branch design found on a Roosevelt dime instead of the Lincoln Memorial, you may have something special.
While the odds of finding this mint error are slim, it’s a reminder of how even small mistakes can create big value in the world of numismatics. So next time you empty your wallet, take a moment to inspect your coins—you might just be holding a $100,000 treasure.
What makes this Lincoln penny so special
The 2001-D Lincoln cent mule error is a result of a rare mistake at the Denver Mint. While the front (obverse) of the coin features the usual portrait of Abraham Lincoln, the reverse side is where things take a surprising turn: instead of the Lincoln Memorial, it shows the reverse of a Roosevelt dime. This unexpected pairing of obverse and reverse designs is called a "mule" error—an accidental blend of two different coins.
How rare is the 2001-D mule error coin
Only a handful of these coins are known to exist, making them incredibly rare. Experts believe fewer than 10 may have ever entered circulation. Because of this rarity, they’ve become highly valuable in the collector market. Even damaged or worn versions of this coin could sell for $20,000 or more.
Record auction sales
Four of these rare coins have already made headlines with their auction results:
- $114,000 for a PCGS MS66RD on June 17, 2021
- $78,000 for a PCGS MS65RD on February 24, 2022
- $66,000 for another PCGS MS65RD on August 24, 2022
- $114,000 for a second PCGS MS66RD on January 11, 2024
These figures reflect the coin’s growing demand and scarcity, especially among error coin collectors.
Could you own one?
Because these coins were unintentionally released into circulation, it’s possible—though extremely unlikely—that one could still be found in everyday pocket change. The key is to look for a 2001 penny with a "D" mint mark (for Denver) on the front, and then check the reverse. If it shows the torch, olive branch, and oak branch design found on a Roosevelt dime instead of the Lincoln Memorial, you may have something special.
While the odds of finding this mint error are slim, it’s a reminder of how even small mistakes can create big value in the world of numismatics. So next time you empty your wallet, take a moment to inspect your coins—you might just be holding a $100,000 treasure.
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