The Lincoln cent is one of the longest-running coin series in American history.
The Denver Mint struck millions of pennies in 1992.
Most of these pennies were meant for everyday pocket change.
A few special examples from this year accidentally used a different reverse design than intended.
This mix-up created the famous 1992-D Close AM variety.
The coin holds the 15th spot out of 200 on the list of valuable coins.
Finding one of these in your change is a rare event for any collector.
It remains one of the most famous modern penny varieties ever discovered.
Heritage Auctions handled the sale of this standout penny.
The coin sold during an auction recorded under the 02/14 listing.
Professional grading services certified this coin at a grade of 65.
The coin also earned the RD designation, which stands for full red color.
A grade of 65 means the coin is in uncirculated, gem mint state condition.
It has very few contact marks, sharp design details, and strong original luster.
Pennies made of zinc and copper can oxidize and turn brown quickly over time.
Keeping full original red surfaces after decades adds a huge amount of value.
Exceptional certified coins like this set market records because so few exist in this condition.
Most pennies from circulation are worn, scratched, or toned brown.
The value of this penny comes down to an accidental die pairing at the mint.
In 1992, the mint prepared a new reverse design style for the upcoming 1993 production year.
The intended reverse for 1992 had space between the letters A and M in the word AMERICA.
A few 1992 coins were struck using the new 1993 design early by mistake.
This created a coin where the bottoms of the letters A and M practically touch.
Only a tiny handful of these transitional error coins escaped the Denver facility.
Collector demand for major modern varieties is always high.
Lincoln cent enthusiasts want one to complete their collections, but the supply is strictly limited.
The mix of extreme rarity, full mint red color, and high collector interest pushes the price up.
You can check any 1992 Denver penny yourself with the right tools.
Start by looking at the date on the front to make sure it says 1992 with a D mintmark below it.
Turn the coin over to the reverse side and find the word AMERICA.
Use a magnifying glass or a 10x jeweler's loupe to inspect the letters A and M closely.
On the normal 1992 coin, you will see a clear gap between the lower parts of the A and the M.
On the rare Close AM variety, the bottoms of the two letters are touching or almost touching.
You can also look at the initials FG near the right side of the Lincoln Memorial base.
On the Close AM style, the initials sit noticeably farther away from the building base than on the standard style.
If you want a quick second opinion, scan your coin using CoinKnow to help check what you have.
You can also use Coin Value Checker to look up details and compare images on your phone.
Remember that worn or damaged regular pennies can sometimes trick your eyes.
If the letters look tight, have a professional grading service look at the coin to verify it.
Want to skip straight to the price? the coin valuation app tools we tested side by side gets you there.