In numismatics, we are already used to all sorts of things and sometimes think nothing can surprise us anymore. Yet, almost every time we are wrong, because surprises are never lacking. This time, the surprise was provided by the world's most famous auction house “Heritage Auctions” from the US.
Up for auction is a screw! And not just any screw, but a screw partially struck with motifs of a 1-cent coin featuring the portrait of President Abraham Lincoln. To make things even “crazier,” this specimen is also certified! And by PCGS, receiving a grade of MS64+.
The very description of this numismatic curiosity states:
Lincoln Memorial Cent without date, screw cap mint error weighing 2.8 grams, MS64+ PCGS.
A metal screw, approximately 30 mm long, ended up between the forging dies of a Lincoln cent, leaving its mark on it, which resulted in this extremely dramatic mint error.
It appears that the screw itself is made of a steel alloy, but the parts struck by the obverse die have a copper-red color. This is likely due to traces of copper in the die cavity that adhered to the screw during the strike.
The screw threads are mostly flattened on the obverse, where the inscriptions "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRU" are visible. Lincoln's head is visible, except for the jaw, mouth, and the tip of the nose. On the reverse, the screw threads are partially visible. The flattened surfaces display the inscription "ONE CEN" and the lower left portion of the Lincoln Memorial.
A truly unforgettable blacksmithing "accident.".
The starting price hasn't been announced yet, but bids can already be placed starting December 26. The auction will be held from January 14 to 18, 2026. It will be interesting to see how this ultimately turns out!
Those interested in participating in the auction can view the item on the pages Heritage Auctions-a.
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Author: Zlatko Viščević
Photos: Heritage Auctions [www.ha.com]
