Rare Lincoln Penny Found at Small Church Auction
At a quiet church auction in rural Pennsylvania, a small box of random items turned out to hold a hidden gem—a rare 1909-S VDB Lincoln penny worth over $75,000. The entire box was sold for just $40. The lucky buyer? A local history teacher named Alan Porter, who bought the lot to support the fundraiser and didn’t think much of the old coins inside.
A Lucky Find by a History Teacher
Alan took the box home and started going through a jar of loose coins. One penny looked different. Curious, he brought it to a local coin expert. To his surprise, it was confirmed to be a valuable 1909-S VDB penny—one of the most sought-after coins in the U.S. because of its low mintage and historical significance. In excellent condition, it could sell for up to $90,000.
Excitement in the Small Town
Word of Alan’s discovery spread quickly. Church members were thrilled that something so valuable was found at their simple auction. Pastor Emily Warren said it made their fundraiser even more special. Many people who had attended the event started wondering if they might have missed other hidden treasures in their purchases.
How Did the Penny Get There?
No one knows for sure how such a rare coin ended up in the auction, but experts believe it may have been part of an old estate donation. It’s common for valuable coins to be passed down without anyone realizing their worth. Coin appraiser Meredith Collins explained that people often toss valuable coins into jars or boxes, unaware of their value.
A New Hobby Inspired by a Coin
For Alan Porter, this discovery sparked a new interest in coin collecting. What started as a simple bid at a local auction turned into something that could change his life. “I just thought it’d be fun for the classroom,” he said. “Now, it might help pay off my student loans.” His story is a great reminder that you never know what treasures might be hiding in plain sight.
