This 1909 Penny With a Native American Design Just Sold for $7,800—Here's Why It's So Valuable

The grade of a coin can have a huge impact on how much coins sell for.

A RARE penny recently sold for an incredible $7,800 at auction thanks to its unique design.

The 1909 penny was minted in San Francisco and features a Native American design.

It was sold by Heritage Auctions, and the listing highlighted its unusual color profile.

The listing described the coin as having a “frosty and fully brilliant golden mint luster with a splash of coppery-orange.”

Coin graders rated the penny as being relatively high quality - a 65 on a scale of 0 to 70.

It was sold on June 14, 2024 to an online bidder.

The grade of a coin can have a huge impact on how much coins sell for.

For pennies like this, some people seek second opinions.

But that can add even more value.

This 1909 coin has an “Eagle Eye photo seal” on its case.

That means Rick Snow - a specialist who studies these kinds of coins for Eagle Eye Rare Coins - has confirmed the quality of the coin.

Coins are usually graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service or the Numismatic Guaranty Company.

But Snow doesn’t always agree with their ratings of pennies.

“Our records prove that over 1/2 of the Flying Eagle and Indian Cents in slabs today are overgraded or just plain ugly,” Eagle Eye's website claims.

“What we do is put a label on the plastic holder and make a plastic laminated photo certificate to accompany the coin,” it says.

“These Photo Seals attest that I, Rick Snow, have examined the coin and agree with the grading services opinion.”

How coins are graded

Coins are graded on a scale of one to 70, with one being the poorest grade, and 70 being the most pristine example.

Numbers 60 to 70 are generally the most sought-after by collectors and are known as Mint State coins.

Pieces that fetch thousands at auction are commonly found in MS67, MS68, and MS69 conditions.

An MS-70 is nearly impossible to find among older coins.