Dennis Wallace, a 43-year-old man from Michigan, was cleaning out his late grandmother’s attic. He didn’t expect anything special—just old boxes and memories. But one dusty cereal box from 1972 turned out to be life-changing.
Inside that old, unopened cereal box, he found something surprising. Tucked inside was a small plastic sleeve. It said “Special U.S. Mint Edition.” Inside the sleeve was a rare Lincoln penny that’s now worth around $90,000.
Rare Penny
When Dennis opened the box, he wasn’t thinking about coins. But there it was—a 1972 Lincoln penny with a rare printing mistake. This special coin is known as the 1972 Doubled Die Obverse, or DDO.
This kind of penny has a clear “double” look on the date and the word LIBERTY. Not many of these coins were made. Fewer than 250,000 were released, and most are now lost or damaged. The one Dennis found stayed in perfect condition, like it was frozen in time.
Big Money
After finding the coin, Dennis got it checked by experts. The Professional Coin Grading Service gave it a top grade of MS66 Red. That means the coin is in near-perfect condition and has excellent color.
Barry Thompson, a coin expert from Chicago, said this isn’t just a coin. It’s a piece of American history with a great story behind it. The coin will be sold at an auction soon, and collectors are already excited. Experts believe it may sell for anywhere between $80,000 and $95,000.
Penny So Valuable
You might ask why a penny could be worth so much. There are a few reasons. First, it’s a rare mistake coin. These kinds of errors are hardly ever found today because modern machines catch them early. This one slipped through and made it into people’s hands, making it very special.
Second, the condition is amazing. Most coins from the 1970s are scratched or dirty. This one was kept safe inside a cereal box for over 50 years.
Third, the story makes it more valuable. Most rare coins are found in coin collections or coin rolls. But this one came from a cereal box, which is very unusual.
Check Your Boxes and Drawers
After Dennis’s story spread, many people started searching their attics and old boxes. Who wouldn’t want to find a $90,000 coin at home?
Dennis said this find felt like a last gift from his grandmother. He laughed and said he’ll never look at old boxes the same way again.
Hidden History
This story reminds us that history can hide in the most ordinary places. It could be in an attic, inside a drawer, or even in an old cereal box.
The Lincoln penny that Dennis found is worth more than just money. It’s a piece of the past, a memory, and a surprise gift all in one. So next time you clean up at home, take a second look. You might find a treasure too.
FAQs
What kind of penny did he find?
He found a 1972 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln penny.
Where did he find the coin?
He found it inside a sealed cereal box from 1972.
Why is the penny worth so much?
It’s a rare error coin in perfect condition.
Who checked the coin’s value?
The Professional Coin Grading Service graded the coin.
Can I find valuable coins at home?
Yes, check old jars, boxes, and drawers.
