This week brought me an amazing note from a fellow coin enthusiast—check it out:
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Hey J. Money,
Hope you and your family are doing well since we last chatted a couple months ago. Remember I was just about to get my $1,000 worth of half dollars? Well, here’s how it went: the first box of 50 rolls was unremarkable, with only a few book upgrades. But the second box was a lot more exciting with finds like a 1966, 67, and 69, along with proof coins from 71 and 81, and a gold coin from 73. Needless to say, I’ve placed another order.
[Editor’s note: Check out our blog for the start of this conversation and some pictures: “I found 48 silver half dollars in rolls!”]
The main reason for reaching out is to share that I’ve been buying large lots of wheat pennies on eBay—usually 10-pound batches or around 1,500 coins. I resell the ones I don’t need, not for profit but to hunt down rarities and book upgrades.
Last Friday, a new order arrived, and I started the painstaking process of examining over 1,500 wheat pennies. I separated out the BU and AU coins and after about 10 minutes, as I grabbed another handful, something caught my eye.
I rubbed my eyes a few times, dropped the coins, and took an intense look for about 10 seconds. Then the realization hit me—I felt my knees go weak, heard ringing in my ears, and started to feel dizzy.
I ran around like a wild man, shouting, which caught my friend’s attention. Concerned, he asked, “What’s going on?” All I could yell was “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH,” and off I went again.
I’m aware that it needs to be graded and authenticated before the full celebration, but I’m incredibly excited about this “King of Kings” in Lincoln wheat pennies!
Best regards,
Brett
One of the luckiest people I know!
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This find is incredibly rare, especially in loose change. Here’s what the Red Book says about its value depending on the condition:
It’s worth many times its original value, which is why these coins are often counterfeited.
We’re eager to hear back from Brett once the experts assess it, but either way, this discovery is a collector’s dream.
Congratulations, Brett! Keep us updated!
UPDATE: Brett shared, “My buddy who’s a long-time collector thinks the ‘KING’ might be an AU 58 and is completely genuine. He’ll take it to a trusted dealer to get authenticated and slabbed. This discovery is hard to surpass, maybe even impossible!”
UPDATE II: Brett got the coin back from PCGS with the assessment:
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PS: The doubling of the date and inscription was due to improperly prepared dies. You might notice this on other coins, but hardly as prominently as this one, which makes it highly sought after. The flaw is striking!
PPS: Learn more and discover some interesting trivia about the coin here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955_doubled-die_cent
