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American one-cent coins, also known as pennies, are familiar to many. Today, the value of such a cent is about 80 kopecks, which is almost equal to one Russian ruble. Although it is still a circulating denomination, it is gradually being phased out.
American one-cent coins, also known as pennies, are familiar to many. Today, the value of such a cent is about 80 kopecks, which is almost equal to one Russian ruble. Although it is still a circulating denomination, it is gradually being phased out.
In 1974, millions of these coins were minted, so they are not particularly rare on their own. However, as in any field of collecting, numismatics has details that can multiply the value of even the simplest coin.
| Term | Description |
| Grade (Grading) | The process of professional authentication and condition assessment of a coin. |
| MS (Mint State) | A designation for coins that have not been in circulation and show no signs of wear. |
| MS67+ RD | A very high-quality grade for a copper coin, close to perfect, with its original red color preserved (Red). |
| MS70 | The highest possible, top grade, signifying absolutely perfect condition. |
For numismatists and collectors, a coin's condition is of paramount importance. There is a whole category of collectors who hunt exclusively for specimens in perfect or, as they say, exceptional condition. Even common pocket change in such a state can be worth significantly more than its face value.
A prime example is a 1974 cent sold on eBay. This coin, sealed in a special capsule (slab) with an assigned grade of MS67+ RD, sold for $737, equivalent to about 55,000 rubles. A grade is a condition assessment conducted by special certification companies.
Even coins fresh from the mint rarely receive the highest score of MS70, making high-grade specimens particularly valuable.
Another variety of the 1974 cent is worth a truly fabulous amount of money — the aluminum one. Experts estimate that such a specimen can be worth up to $500,000, or about 38 million rubles. The appearance of this coin is linked to experiments conducted at the Denver Mint.
These alloys gave the coins a characteristic reddish-yellow hue. In search of a cheaper metal for coin production, a trial batch was struck from aluminum. Today, experts believe that only 10 to 12 of these experimental coins exist, which explains their extreme rarity and high value.
The story of the discovery of one of these aluminum cents is quite remarkable. About 50 years ago, an employee at the Denver Mint, seeing the experimental issue, decided to take one coin as a souvenir, speculating on its future value. This coin remained in his family for many years.
It was passed down to his son, who didn't think much of it. The coin lay in a desk drawer for a long time and later even ended up in the trunk of a car. One day, while sorting through his belongings, the owner took it to a small coin shop in Southern California for an appraisal.
The shop owner immediately realized he was looking at something special. A subsequent examination by a professional coin grading service confirmed the authenticity and uniqueness of the find. This story proves that real treasures can be stored for years in the most unexpected places, waiting for their moment.
