The Denver Mint struck this Lincoln Cent in 1947.
World War II had ended, and the United States Mint was back to using standard bronze planchets.
Denver produced a very large supply of cents that year to meet daily commerce needs.
Most of these pennies immediately entered general circulation across the country.
They spent decades passing through pocket change, vending machines, and cash registers.
Because so many were made, finding a basic circulated 1947-D penny is quite easy.
Finding one that survived in pristine, factory-new condition is another story entirely.
The "RD" designation stands for Red, which describes the original copper color of the metal.
Copper naturally tarnishes to brown over time when exposed to oxygen.
A coin that keeps its original red color after decades is special to collectors.
An exceptional example of the 1947-D Lincoln Cent crossed the auction block through Heritage Auctions.
Heritage Auctions handled the sale under the catalog lot record noted as 12/22.
Professional coin graders certified this specific piece at an outstanding grade of 67 Red.
On the standard coin grading scale, 70 represents absolute perfection.
A grade of 67 means the coin is nearly flawless to the naked eye.
It shows zero traces of wear from circulation.
Any bag marks or contact spots from the minting process are extremely tiny.
The surfaces retain their full, vibrant mint luster from 1947.
Top-tier registry collectors often place competitive bids when a coin this clean appears at major auctions.
A certified piece in this grade stands far above the vast majority of surviving 1947-D cents.
This coin brings high interest because of what collectors call condition rarity.
The original total mintage for 1947-D cents was very high, so the date itself is not rare.
However, copper is a very soft metal that damages easily.
Freshly minted pennies bounced against each other in massive metal bins at the mint.
They were poured roughly into heavy canvas bags and shipped by train and truck.
Most coins picked up scratches and small contact nicks before they ever left the bank.
Moisture and air also turn bright red copper into brown or red-brown over time.
Finding a penny that dodged both surface marks and environmental oxidation is very difficult.
Serious Lincoln Cent collectors want the finest known pieces for their personal sets.
When multiple advanced collectors compete for a single high-grade survivor, the value climbs quickly.
You can check your own coins at home with a few simple steps.
First, look at the front of the coin just beneath the date 1947.
You want to see a small "D" mint mark stamped under the numbers, showing it was made in Denver.
Next, use a 10x jeweler loupe under a strong desk lamp to inspect the surfaces.
Look closely at Lincoln's cheekbone, jaw, and the hair above his ear.
These are the highest points on the design and show friction first.
If you see any dullness or flatness on those high points, the coin has circulated.
Turn the coin over and check the wheat stalks on the reverse.
Look for full detail in the tiny wheat lines and no signs of dark fingerprint stains.
The color should be a bright, glowing orange-red rather than a dull chocolate brown.
If you want a fast second opinion on your pocket change, the CoinKnow app can help you scan and identify your coin.
Keep in mind that typical coins found in old jars will not match the quality of a certified Mint State 67 specimen.
Only coins that were carefully set aside the year they were made tend to reach this top grade.
Want to know the value right now? our breakdown of each coin valuation app we tried can tell you from an image.