A 1955 Lincoln penny recently sold for over $3,600 on eBay due to its double die error on the obverse and certification from the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC).
The double die error occurs when the coin is improperly manufactured and imprinted multiple times, resulting in a layered appearance.
The NGC is a third-party grading service for coins that authenticates and assigns a grade based on a scale of 1 to 70, with 70 being flawless.
This particular penny received a grade of MS64 or Mint State 64, contributing to its high value.
The 1955 wheat cent was designed by Victor Brenner to commemorate Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday and features Lincoln's head on the obverse and two ears of wheat on the reverse.
The missing mint mark on the coin, typical of Philadelphia-minted coins during that time, can also indicate its value to collectors.
A coin's value is determined by several factors including mintage, errors, demand, age, design, certification, and condition, and the grading scale includes five components: strike, surface preservation, luster, coloration, and eye appeal.