In a quiet Pennsylvania suburb, a family heirloom that had quietly passed from grandfather to father to son turned out to be worth far more than anyone expected — a single penny, now appraised at over $20,000, making it more valuable than the family’s car parked in the driveway.
A seemingly ordinary penny in a Pennsylvania family has unexpectedly been revealed to be worth over $20,000, surpassing the value of the family’s car. This heirloom has been passed down through generations, from grandfather to father to son, without anyone fully realizing its true worth.
A Coin With a Story
The tale starts back in 1922 when Edward Thompson, a 12-year-old boy in San Francisco, received the penny as change at a local store. For reasons he never quite understood, Edward decided to keep it. Over the years, the coin accompanied him through tough times including the Great Depression and World War II, as well as his move across the country to start his own family.
Before passing away in the early 1980s, Edward handed the penny to his son George, who stored it carefully with war medals and letters from his father. George, a high school teacher, had no intention of selling it. When George gave the penny to his son Michael years later, it was meant to be a family keepsake rather than a valuable item.
That changed when Michael, now a father in his 30s, started coin collecting as a hobby with his young daughter. While showing her “Grandpa’s penny,” he decided to research it — and what he discovered was astonishing.
A Collector’s Dream
The coin turned out to be an authentic 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, one of only 484,000 minted in San Francisco that year. The initials “V.D.B.” on the back stand for Victor David Brenner, the coin’s designer. Due to controversy over the prominence of these initials, the U.S. Mint quickly removed them from later coins, making this version rare.
Even more impressive was the penny’s condition. Despite its age and years spent tucked away, it showed very little wear. After being professionally graded, it earned a “Very Fine” rating, greatly increasing its market value.
Michael shared, “It feels unreal. We were just making memories with my daughter, never knowing this penny was so special.”
Worth More Than Their Car
An appraisal valued the coin between $20,000 and $25,000, depending on auction interest. This is nearly twice the value of the family’s old SUV. Still, the Thompsons are not eager to sell.
Michael explained, “We’ve received serious offers, but for now, it stays with the family. It’s a reminder of our roots and shows how something small can mean so much.”
A Symbol of Legacy
This story shows how treasures can be hidden in plain sight — tucked away in shoeboxes, drawers, or family keepsakes. In times when collectibles can suddenly increase in value, this penny, passed down out of love, has become a symbol of family heritage.
The Thompsons’ find has attracted attention from local collectors, coin experts, and a national numismatic magazine planning to feature it soon.
For Michael, the true value goes beyond money. “My daughter asked if she can one day pass it to her own child,” he said. “That’s priceless to me.”
FAQs
Q: What makes the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent so valuable?
A: It’s rare due to limited mintage and the unique “V.D.B.” initials, which were removed from later coins, making surviving examples highly collectible.
Q: How is the condition of a coin graded?
A: Coins are assessed based on wear and detail preservation. This penny was graded “Very Fine,” meaning it shows minimal wear for its age.
Q: Can the family still sell the penny?
A: Yes, but the Thompsons currently prefer to keep it as a family heirloom rather than selling it.
Q: Why do coin values sometimes increase dramatically?
A: Factors include rarity, condition, historical significance, and collector demand, all of which can boost a coin’s market price over time.
