Lincoln Penny Found Behind: Imagine pulling an old clock off the wall and finding a penny that could change your life. Sounds like a movie, right? Well, it actually happened to a family in Ohio, and now coin collectors everywhere are going crazy over it.
A Surprise Discovery During Spring Cleaning
The Martinez family was doing some simple home renovations when they decided to take down an old wall clock that had been hanging since the 1940s. As they lifted it off the hook, something small and copper fell to the floor. At first, thirteen-year-old Mia Martinez almost swept it up with the dust. But something made her stop and take a closer look. The penny looked different from the ones in her pocket. It had wheat stalks on the back instead of the Lincoln Memorial, and the date read 1909. Her dad laughed and said it was probably just an old penny worth a few cents. Good thing Mia’s grandfather was visiting – he’s been collecting coins for over fifty years.
Why This Penny Has Experts Freaking Out
When Mia showed the penny to her grandfather, his hands actually started shaking. “Mia,” he said quietly, “this might be the most famous penny in American history.” He pointed to the tiny letters “V.D.B.” on the back near the bottom edge. Then he showed her the small “S” mint mark under the date. The 1909-S VDB Lincoln penny is basically the holy grail of coin collecting. Here’s why it’s so special: it was the very first year they made Lincoln pennies, and the designer Victor David Brenner put his initials on the back. Some people got upset about that, so the Mint quickly removed them. Only a tiny number of these coins got made before the change.
What Makes a Penny Worth Thousands?
- Year and Mint Mark: 1909 with an “S” means it came from the San Francisco Mint. That’s the rare one.
- The VDB Initials: Check the bottom edge on the back. If you see those three little letters, you’ve found something special.
- Condition is Everything: Coins that look almost new are worth way more. Scratched-up ones? Not so much.
- Original Details: The wheat stalks should be sharp and clear. Worn-down coins lose their value fast.
- Color Matters: That original reddish-brown color collectors call “red” can double or triple the price.
Could This Really Happen to You?
You might be thinking, “Sure, but that’s just lucky people on the news.” Here’s the thing though – it happens more than you’d expect. People find rare coins in old furniture all the time. Sometimes they’re in jars from grandparents. Sometimes they’re stuck in couch cushions. One guy found a super rare penny in a box of stuff he bought at a garage sale for five bucks. The Martinez family’s coin is now being checked by professional graders. If it’s authentic and in good shape, experts say it could sell for over sixty thousand dollars. Not bad for something that was just sitting behind a clock for eighty years.
Complete Coin Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Coin Name | 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny |
| Year Minted | 1909 (first year of Lincoln pennies) |
| Mint Location | San Francisco (that’s what the S means) |
| Designer | Victor David Brenner (initials V.D.B. on back) |
| What It’s Made Of | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| How Many Were Made | Less than 500,000 (super tiny number) |
| Why It’s Rare | Initials were removed soon after production started |
| What It’s Worth | $500 to over $100,000 depending on condition |
| Where to Look | Check the back for wheat stalks and tiny initials |
| Fun Fact | Most people spent these like regular pennies back in the day |
Six Questions Kids Always Ask About Rare Coins
1. Can I really find valuable coins in my own house?
Absolutely! People hide coins in books, behind furniture, in old coat pockets. Ask your grandparents if they have any old coins lying around. You never know what might turn up.
2. How can I tell if my old penny is worth something?
Look for three things: the date (1909 is the big one), the mint mark (small letter under the date), and the design on the back. Wheat stalks = old penny. Lincoln Memorial = newer penny.
3. What does VDB stand for anyway?
Those are the initials of Victor David Brenner, the guy who designed the Lincoln penny. He was a really famous sculptor, and his initials on the coin make it way more valuable.
4. Should I clean an old coin if I find one?
No way! Never ever clean them. Collectors want coins to look exactly how they’ve aged naturally. Cleaning actually destroys value because it scratches the surface.
5. Where can I get a coin appraised?
Look for a local coin shop that’s been around for a while. You can also check online for coin shows in your area. Just don’t mail your coin anywhere until you know what you have.
6. What other pennies should I watch for?
Keep an eye out for 1914-D, 1931-S, and 1955 doubled die pennies. Also check any penny from before 1982 – those have more copper in them and are worth at least a couple cents each.
The Takeaway: Start Looking Closer
Mia Martinez isn’t planning to sell her family’s discovery anytime soon. “It’s part of our story now,” she says with a smile. “Plus, my grandpa would never forgive me.” But here’s what she wants other kids to know: start paying attention to the change in your pocket. Look at the coins in your piggy bank. Check the dates on anything old you find around the house. Most of it will be regular stuff worth exactly one cent. But sometimes? Sometimes you get lucky. And if you do find something cool, show it to someone who knows coins. That boring old penny behind the clock might just be your ticket to something amazing.
