The United States Mint struck this Lincoln Cent back in 1913.
It carries the classic portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the front and two wheat stalks on the back.
The Philadelphia Mint produced these pennies without any mintmark below the date.
Finding a standard circulated 1913 penny is relatively easy for most collectors.
Finding one that still shows full original red color from over a century ago is a completely different story.
Copper naturally tarnishes, darkens, and turns brown when exposed to air and moisture over the years.
That natural aging process makes an untouched, fully red penny from the early twentieth century quite special.
An exceptional example of this coin made waves when it crossed the auction block at BM.
Professional grading services certified this piece at Grade 67 Red.
The auction listing recorded a winning transaction marked at 6/08.
A grade of 67 means the coin is in superb condition with virtually no visible flaws.
The RD designation stands for Red, meaning the penny retains almost all of its original bright copper luster.
Top-tier collectors compete fiercely whenever a specimen preserved at this high standard comes up for public sale.
Coins in this condition rarely appear on the market, which is why they command such strong interest from buyers.
Condition rarity is the biggest factor behind the high market interest in this piece.
Millions of cents entered daily circulation during the early 1900s to pay for small goods.
Almost every single one ended up jingling in pockets, passing through cash registers, or stored away in damp drawers.
Most surviving 1913 cents turned a dull brown shade long before modern coin grading began.
Only a tiny handful managed to escape circulation and avoid oxidation entirely.
Lincoln cent collectors love assembling sets of fully red coins.
When you have a date from the early wheat ear era with flawless surfaces and fiery color, demand always outpaces supply.
You can start by looking closely at the date on the front right side of the coin.
Make sure all four digits clearly read 1913 under good lighting.
Check the space beneath the date to see if a mintmark is present.
If you see a blank area below the numerals, your coin came from the Philadelphia Mint.
Grab a small magnifying glass or a ten-power jeweler's loupe to inspect the surface details.
Examine Lincoln's cheek, jaw, and coat shoulder for any signs of friction, wear, or dark spots.
Look at the color of the copper across both sides to see if it remains bright orange-red rather than chocolate brown.
If you want a quick starting point, a mobile tool like Coin Value Checker can do an initial scan of your pocket change.
Keep in mind that common pocket finds show heavy wear and will not bring premium auction record sums.
Only an untouched, professionally graded survivor can reach the top levels of the numismatic market.
If you have the coin in hand right now, this comparison of every coin valuation app worth trying can price it immediately.