The 1916-S Lincoln cent is an early branch-mint issue from the popular penny series.
It was struck in 1916 at the San Francisco Mint.
The United States Mint had only been making Lincoln pennies for seven years at this point.
Like other cents of that era, it was made from a traditional bronze alloy.
Collectors pay special attention to the mintmark and the original surface color.
Early branch-mint pennies are much harder to locate with their original mint brilliance intact.
This coin holds rank 65 out of the top 200 notable pennies on our list.
This specific coin crossed the auction block through BM.
The record sale took place with a final realized price listed in the records as 8/04.
Professional coin graders evaluated this piece and gave it a certified grade of 65.
On the standard numismatic scale, a 65 grade represents a Choice Uncirculated coin.
That means the surfaces show no wear from circulation and display strong eye appeal.
The coin also earned the coveted RD designation from the grading service.
The RD label stands for Red, meaning it retains almost all of its original copper color.
A certified grade gives buyers confidence in the condition and the authenticity of the piece.
Most surviving 1916 pennies from San Francisco turned brown or wore down long ago.
Because of that, high-grade certified examples command strong premiums whenever they appear at auction.
Condition is the main reason this particular penny is so desirable.
San Francisco produced far fewer pennies in 1916 than the main mint in Philadelphia.
People did not save many fresh rolls from the San Francisco Mint back then.
Most of the pennies went straight into local pockets, cash registers, and circulation.
Over time, copper naturally reacts with air and moisture.
It slowly changes color from bright red to brown as it oxidizes.
Finding a century-old cent that never entered circulation is quite tough.
Finding one that kept its bright red luster without turning brown is even harder.
Numismatists refer to this scarcity as condition rarity.
The Lincoln series has a massive following of dedicated registry set builders.
These competitive collectors constantly compete for the highest-graded red examples to complete their sets.
That steady demand keeps prices elevated for well-preserved pieces.
You can check your pocket change or old collections with a few simple steps.
First, pick up a basic magnifying glass or a 5x jeweler loupe.
Look at the front of the coin directly below the 1916 date.
You want to look for a small "S" letter stamped beneath the numerals.
If there is no letter below the date, the penny was made in Philadelphia instead.
Next, examine the color and surface condition under good lighting.
A true RD coin will show bright, fiery copper luster across both sides.
If the surface looks chocolate brown or dull, it is classed as a Brown or Red-Brown coin.
Check the high points of Abraham Lincoln's cheek and coat for any signs of friction or rubbing.
You can use Coin Value Checker on your smartphone to scan the coin and get a quick initial read on what you have.
Remember that worn or brown examples trade for much lower amounts than certified red gems.
If you suspect you have an uncirculated piece with full red color, consider submitting it to a major third-party grading service for authentication.
If you are checking pocket change, the coin valuation app tools we tested side by side is fast enough to keep up.