For decades, it sat in a dusty memory box — tucked away between old photographs, faded birthday cards, and a yellowed newspaper clipping from the 1970s. To most, it would have looked like just another piece of pocket change. But for one Virginia family, the coin hidden in that box turned out to be a financial lifeline.
For many years, the coin rested forgotten inside a dusty keepsake box alongside old photos, worn birthday cards, and a yellowed newspaper clipping from the 1970s. To most people, it would seem like just ordinary change. However, for one family in Virginia, this overlooked coin became an unexpected source of financial relief.
Earlier this year, 63-year-old Sharon Wallace began cleaning out her late mother’s attic. With rising medical bills piling up due to her husband’s recent surgery, Sharon hoped to sell some old keepsakes and collectibles to ease the burden. What she didn’t expect was that a long-forgotten coin would bring in more than sentiment — it would bring in real money.
Earlier this year, Sharon Wallace, aged 63, started sorting through her late mother’s attic. Faced with increasing medical expenses following her husband’s surgery, she planned to sell some family heirlooms and collectibles to help with the costs. What surprised her was that one neglected coin would turn out to be worth much more than sentimental value—it would provide a significant financial boost.
A Coin Overlooked for Years
The coin, a 1969-S Lincoln Cent, had been stored in a small plastic sleeve, placed among other childhood memorabilia. Sharon remembered her father setting it aside after finding it in pocket change, saying it looked “a bit off.” Over the years, it became a quiet piece of family lore — an odd penny that no one really understood but everyone kept.
“I almost tossed it with some old costume jewelry,” Sharon said. “But something made me look it up first.”
The coin, a 1969-S Lincoln Cent, was kept inside a small plastic sleeve, mixed in with other childhood keepsakes. Sharon recalled her father once noticing it among loose change and mentioning it seemed “a little unusual.” Over time, it became a curious family story — a strange penny nobody fully understood but everyone kept safe.
“I nearly threw it away along with some old costume jewelry,” Sharon shared. “But something told me to check it out first.”
A Rare Find Confirmed
Her curiosity led her down a rabbit hole of online forums and coin appraisal websites. What she discovered shocked her. The coin bore the hallmarks of a rare mint error — a 1969-S doubled die obverse penny, one of the most sought-after Lincoln Cents among collectors. These coins are known for their distinctive doubling on the date and lettering and are extremely scarce, with fewer than 100 confirmed examples known to exist.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I kept reading the same words over and over — ‘extremely rare,’ ‘worth thousands.’ I thought it had to be a mistake.”
Following her curiosity, Sharon researched on coin forums and appraisal sites, uncovering surprising news. The coin showed features of a rare mint mistake known as the 1969-S doubled die obverse penny — a highly prized Lincoln Cent among collectors. This coin is famous for its doubled date and letters, with fewer than 100 authenticated specimens worldwide.
“I was in disbelief,” Sharon said. “I kept seeing words like ‘extremely rare’ and ‘worth thousands.’ I thought someone had made a mistake.”
After contacting a professional coin grading company, her coin was verified and certified as a genuine doubled die example in very good condition. Within a few weeks, it was put up for auction with a well-known auction house.
From Keepsake to Financial Lifeline
The final sale price? $36,500. The winning bidder was a private collector from California, who called the coin “a dream find.”
For Sharon, the sale couldn’t have come at a better time.
“My husband’s recovery has been difficult, and the bills just kept coming,” she explained. “We were trying to decide what to cut back on next. This coin — this tiny piece of copper — gave us breathing room.”
The proceeds helped cover hospital expenses, follow-up care, and physical therapy. The rest was saved in an emergency fund.
More Than Just Money
Stories like Sharon’s continue to fuel interest in old coins and collectibles. With more people turning to side hustles and home cleanouts, surprising finds have become more common — but rarely as impactful.
“It’s not just about the money,” Sharon said. “It’s about hope. My dad always believed in holding on to things that mattered. Turns out, he was right.”
A Reminder to Check the Change
While the odds of finding a rare coin in an old box are slim, this story is a reminder that hidden value might be closer than we think — tucked away in closets, drawers, and forgotten corners of our homes.
FAQ
Q: What makes a 1969-S Lincoln Cent valuable?
A: The 1969-S Lincoln Cent with a doubled die obverse error is rare because of the noticeable doubling on the date and letters, making it highly prized by collectors.
Q: How can I tell if my coin has a doubled die error?
A: Look closely for doubled images on the date and lettering, which appear as if the design was stamped twice slightly off alignment.
Q: Where can I get my coin authenticated?
A: Professional coin grading services, such as PCGS or NGC, can verify and certify rare coins for authenticity and condition.
Q: Are rare coins always valuable?
A: Not always. Condition, rarity, demand, and certification play big roles in a coin’s value, so proper appraisal is essential.
