Up Close Publications
  • Home
  • Read Articles
    • Community
    • Education
    • Events
    • Finance
    • Food + Dining
    • Health + Beauty
    • Holidays
    • Home Improvement
    • Las Sendas Golf Club: A Closer Look
    • Local Business
    • Over 50
    • Real Estate
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Service Directory
  • Advertisers
  • Testimonials
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
CALL US AT (480) 748-1127

Up Close Publications

ad Acoya
  • Home
  • Read Articles
    • Community
    • Education
    • Events
    • Finance
    • Food + Dining
    • Health + Beauty
    • Holidays
    • Home Improvement
    • Las Sendas Golf Club: A Closer Look
    • Local Business
    • Over 50
    • Real Estate
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Service Directory
  • Advertisers
  • Testimonials
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Local Business

Know Before You Throw

by Jon Englund February 28, 2019
written by Jon Englund February 28, 2019

Rather than a simple penny for your thoughts, how about millions of dollars?

A few years ago, an incredibly rare penny from a private collection sold at auction for the jaw-dropping figure of $1.7 million. The penny was from 1943, when that denomination was supposed to be minted from zinc-coated steel due to the need to reserve strategic copper for the World War II effort.

It’s estimated that as few as 17 to 22 non-steel coins were released at that time. Apparently, some bronze planchets (the plain metal disk that is stamped as a coin) were caught in the trap doors of the tote bins used to feed the Mint’s coin presses. The error was not realized until after the coins were circulated, making it the rarest U.S. error coin in existence.

The coin’s owner, Don Lutes Jr., of Pittsfield, Mass., found the penny in 1947, at the age of 16. The penny was in the change given to him when he paid for his high school cafeteria lunch. Being a budding coin collector, he quickly realized he had obtained something unique.

Despite denials from the U.S. Mint that any 1943 bronze pennies existed, there was a rumor that Henry Ford had made an offer to exchange a new car for a bronze penny if anyone found one. That rumor turned out to be false, so Don kept the penny locked up until last year when his health declined.

Don wanted to sell the coin and donate the proceeds to the local public library where he volunteered his time. Sadly, Don passed away last September, at the age of 87. He would have loved seeing the impact that chance event in 1947 had on the world of coin collecting.

So what’s in your pocket? An old penny, perhaps?

Coin images can be viewed at pcgs.com/news/Pcgs-certified-1943-d-Bronze-Cent-Sold-For-17-Million.

Jon Englund has more than 30 years of experience in appraising and liquidating personal property, jewelry, art, collectibles, antiques, furniture, printed items and more, as well as more than 15 years of experience in real estate. A Midwest transplant, Jon trained at New York University in appraisal studies.

Donna Luger has assisted during that time, and is a veteran Associate Broker and Realtor with HomeSmart Realty—Elite Group.

For more information, call (480) 699-1567. You also can send an email to Jon@KnowBeforeYouThrow.INFO.

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterest
previous post
Physical Therapy Can Help Demystify Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
next post
Lent Is A Time For Growth and Education In Christian Faith

Related Articles

Know Before You Throw

January 29, 2020

Know Before You Throw

December 1, 2019

Know Before You Throw

September 29, 2019

Know Before You Throw

September 1, 2019

Know Before You Throw

August 1, 2019

Know Before You Throw

June 30, 2019

Know Before You Throw

June 1, 2019

Know Before You Throw

April 29, 2019

A Bad Appraisal Doesn’t Have to be a...

April 29, 2019

Know Before You Throw

March 31, 2019

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Read Print Issue Now

find us on social media

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest

Trending Articles

  • Mesa Citizen of the Year Association Honors Students for Exceptional Service and Lifelong Impact

  • Curiosity, Geometry, and Arts and The Shaping of The Future

  • So, What Kind of Music Do You Like?

  • Xoxo Charcuterie Mesa is aone stop solution for great events

  • Getting Off theLong, Uphill Bicycle Ride

Read PDF Editions





GET IN TOUCH

Kim Phillips
Publisher
(480) 748-1127
publisher@phillipswest.com

 


 
Monica Adair
Advertising Representative
(480) 772-1949
monica@goupclose.com

Email Us



    Sign up for our newsletter



      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Advertise
      • Contact Us
      • About Us

      Ⓒ 2020 Phillips West Publishing | Website by Rangefinder Studios