Don’t toss your pennies—one could be worth $100,000

The U.S. Treasury may have stopped producing pennies to save an estimated $56 million, but before you clean out your coin jar, take a closer look—one of those copper coins could be worth a fortune.

As reported by the GOBankingRates, a rare 2001-D Lincoln penny has become one of the most valuable error coins in circulation. Known as a "mule error", it was mistakenly minted with the reverse side of a Roosevelt dime. This coin features Abraham Lincoln’s portrait on the front and a Roosevelt dime design on the back—a bizarre and highly prized combination among collectors.

Fewer than ten of these mule coins are believed to exist, making them exceptionally rare. Even in worn condition, one could fetch $20,000 or more. In top condition, they’ve shattered records. As per CoinWeek, four auctions took place so far:

PCGS MS66RD: Sold for $114,000 on June 17, 2021

PCGS MS65RD: Sold for $78,000 on February 24, 2022

PCGS MS65RD: Sold for $66,000 on August 24, 2022

PCGS MS66RD: Sold again for $114,000 on January 11, 2024

All four were auctioned by Heritage Auctions, which called the coin “spectacularly rare.”

The 2001-D mule penny was struck at the Denver Mint, and the origin of the error remains a mystery. While some speculate it was a genuine mistake, others debate whether the mix-up was intentional. Similar errors in the past include proof coins struck over outdated designs, coins missing inscriptions, and even coins minted on everyday objects.

Still, whether by accident or oversight, these few mule coins slipped into circulation—and now they’re worth a small fortune. So next time you spot a penny, don’t be so quick to ignore it. You might just be holding a six-figure mistake.