The 1911 Lincoln Cent comes from the early days of the iconic penny design.
Victor David Brenner created the portrait of Abraham Lincoln just two years earlier in 1909.
The United States Mint struck these early pennies in standard copper bronze.
Finding an early Lincoln cent that keeps its original red copper color is quite difficult today.
Most pieces from this era circulated heavily and quickly turned brown.
This particular coin sits at rank 77 on our list of the 200 most valuable pennies.
Heritage Auctions handled the sale of this standout 1911 penny under the record label 9/07.
The coin achieved a certified grade of 67 with a full Red designation.
A grade of 67 means the coin is in superb condition with almost no noticeable surface flaws.
The RD label stands for Red, meaning the coin retains its original mint color across its surfaces.
Top grading services require at least 95 percent original red luster to award that designation.
Serious collectors pay steep prices when a top-tier auction house offers a coin in this condition.
The main reason behind the value of this coin is condition rarity.
While millions of pennies were made in 1911, almost all of them went straight into everyday pockets.
Copper reacts easily with moisture and air, which causes it to tone down to brown over time.
Very few people saved fresh pennies in safe storage boxes over a century ago.
As a result, a 1911 cent surviving with full original red luster is a true survivor.
Collectors building complete Lincoln sets need these top grades to rank well in registry competitions.
That intense collector demand drives strong bids whenever a specimen at grade 67 comes to auction.
You can start by looking closely at the date on the front of the coin.
Check below the date to see if there is a mint mark, as this main issue has none.
You should inspect the coin under good light with a five-power or ten-power magnifying glass.
Look across the high points of Lincoln's cheek, jaw, and shoulder for any signs of gray or brown wear.
Flip the piece over and check the wheat ears on the reverse for full, crisp lines.
Pay close attention to the surface color to see if it shows bright copper orange or dull brown.
If you want a quick starting point, a mobile tool like Coin Value Checker can help you scan the piece on your desk.
Keep in mind that common pocket change will almost always show heavy wear and dark brown toning.
Only coins that have been authenticated and graded by independent professionals can reach record sales figures.
The fastest way to get a number is to scan it — see the coin valuation app picks that held up in testing.