A man in San Francisco spent 50 years collecting Lincoln Cents. He got them from his pocket change, friends, and coin rolls. Despite all his efforts, he never found anything special. Eventually, he decided it was time to sell. He got several offers from local coin dealers and finally sold everything for a few hundred dollars.
That worked out to about five cents per coin. He thought that was the end of his coin-hunting journey, but one coin turned out to be much more valuable than he ever imagined.
Rare 1969-S Lincoln Cent Turns Up in Auction
The 1969-S Lincoln Cent Doubled Die was graded PCGS MS-63+ RD CAC and is now part of GreatCollections’ December 13 coin auction. It is expected to sell for more than $40,000. The original owner had kept thousands of coins stored in simple paper envelopes.
After buying the collection, the coin dealer took a few days to sort through all of them. That’s when he spotted the uncirculated 1969-S Doubled Die variety—an extremely rare coin, with fewer than 100 known in any condition.
Dealer Contacts Seller About Rare Coin Discovery
Right after discovering the rare coin, the dealer called the man who had sold the collection. He let him know that one of the coins was highly valuable and needed to be sent in for expert grading. The dealer didn’t share the coin’s estimated value but emphasized its importance.
The collector was surprised but agreed to hold off on selling. This rare coin had been hidden in an envelope for decades and had gone unnoticed until now.
Coin Sent for Authentication and Grading
The coin was sent to GreatCollections just as it had been stored—inside the old paper envelope. When they opened it, they were surprised by how fresh and clean the coin looked. They quickly confirmed that the coin was real and in amazing condition.
The next step was to send it to PCGS, also known as the Professional Coin Grading Service, one of the top grading companies. It was graded and returned within a few days with exciting results.
PCGS Assigns Rare Grade to Doubled Die Cent
PCGS gave the coin a grade of MS-63+ RD, making it one of the top examples of this rare variety. It is now ranked as the fourth finest of all 1969-S Doubled Die cents known. A Doubled Die happens when the coin’s design is struck more than once by mistake, leaving a doubled image on the coin.
The doubling can be easily seen with your eyes. This 1969-S is one of those rare cases, and it has now been verified by one of the best grading services in the world.
CAC Review Adds More Value to the Coin
After PCGS graded the coin, GreatCollections had it reviewed by CAC, a service known for strict standards. The coin passed their review, which means it is among the best examples of its kind. Only three other coins of this type have ever received a higher grade approved by CAC.
This means the coin isn’t just rare—it’s also in amazing shape. Getting approval from both PCGS and CAC added even more value and trust in the coin’s quality for buyers and collectors alike.
Auction Listing Details and High Value Expectation
Now sealed in a protective case, the coin will be offered in GreatCollections’ December 13 auction. The auction will have no reserve, meaning there is no minimum price set for sale. Experts expect this rare coin to sell for more than $40,000.
This is a huge jump from the five cents it was originally valued at when sold in bulk. Bidding is open to the public, and collectors are watching closely for a chance to own this rare 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent.
Official Source and Contact Details
To learn more about this 1969-S Lincoln Cent Doubled Die graded PCGS MS-63+ RD CAC, you can visit the official website at www.greatcollections.com. You can also speak directly with someone from the company by calling their toll-free number at 1-800-442-6467.
Whether you’re a serious coin collector or someone curious about rare finds, this is a coin worth looking into. It’s one of those incredible stories where patience, luck, and expert review all came together.
1969-S Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Grading Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Year and Mint | 1969-S |
| Type | Lincoln Cent Doubled Die |
| Grading Company | PCGS (Professional Coin Grading) |
| Grade Assigned | MS-63+ RD |
| CAC Approved | Yes |
| Estimated Auction Value | Over $40,000 |
| Auction House | GreatCollections |
| Auction Date | December 13 |
FAQs
What is a Doubled Die coin?
A Doubled Die coin has design elements that appear twice due to a misaligned strike during minting. This creates a noticeable doubling effect.
How rare is the 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent?
It’s extremely rare—fewer than 100 are known to exist in all conditions, making it one of the top rarities among Lincoln Cents.
What does MS-63+ RD mean?
This is a Mint State grade given by PCGS. “MS-63+” means it’s in near-pristine condition, and “RD” means the coin retains its original red color.
Can anyone join the GreatCollections auction?
Yes, the auction is open to the public, and anyone can register to place a bid online or by phone.
