Exact ‘marriage’ detail to check for on the front of your old cent to see if it’s worth $20,400 ahead of auction

RARE coins can be an opportunity to make thousands of dollars — if you know what to look for.

One rare cent recently sold for $20,400, but it doesn’t look like a typical penny.

Heritage Auctions

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The 1821 cent coin features the head of Lady Liberty and 13 six-pointed stars.

The reverse features a wreath and the words “United States of America.”

However, it’s the unique “marriage” of the two sides of the coin that adds value.

The coin sold for five figures on June 13 to an anonymous internet bidder, according to Heritage Auctions .

IN THE DETAILS

The auction listing noted the brown coin’s color and low mintage.

“Although designated as Brown, faded orange-red graces much of the reverse, along with olive-brown and mahogany shades,” it said.

It said relatively few cent coins were made in 1821, adding to the value of this specimen.

Marriages are when designs from two coins go on the same coin.

That means the design of the ‘heads’ side was made separately from the ‘tails’ side.

This rarity also may add value to collectors.

However, among the largest factors in coin value is its grade.

This cent was graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service, which rated it 63 out of 70.

That means it’s among the highest quality specimens of this cent.

Rare coins

You may be holding something valuable in your wallet. Check out these articles on rare coins to see if you may have a treasure hidden deep in your pockets.

• Rare Lincoln penny sells for $201
• This buffalo nickel sold for $1,165
• 1971 Eisenhower silver coin sells for $264,000
• Lincoln double die obverse penny sells for $2,000
• Half cent sells for $3,383
• Rare nickel sells for $1,956 on eBay
• 1889 CC Morgan Silver dollar coin sells for $1,850
• Lincoln 1992 penny can be worth up to $25,000
• Standing Liberty quarter sells for $565
• Lincoln coin minted in 2020 sells for $525

MORE COINS

Coins have become valuable thanks to interest from collectors willing to spend thousands on little pieces of metal.

Some are noted for their historical value.

One centuries-old historic coin was found in Maryland .

The shilling was likely brought to America in the 1600s by British colonists.

Other valuable coins are more modern.

A Lincoln penny recently sold for over $9,000.

Another 1800s cent could sell for $5,040.

One lucky dad of five found a box of treasures .