DLRC Lincoln Cent Set Sale Led by $64,000 Doubled Ear Cent

A rare Lincoln cent variety sold for $64,000 to lead the sale of the TropicalBats #8 All-Time Finest PCGS Registry Set of Lincoln Cents, offered by DLRC in back-to-back April Red Carpet Rarities Auctions.

The collection, described as a Complete Variety Set with Circulation and Proof Strikes, achieved a 100% sell-through rate and included dozens of scarce Lincoln cent varieties. The set was ranked No. 8 all-time and No. 5 current in the PCGS Registry.

The standout lot was a 1988 Lincoln cent graded PCGS MS63RB with the Doubled Ear variety, FS-101. PCGS has graded just three examples of the variety across all grades and color designations: one MS63BN, the MS63RB sold by DLRC, and one MS66RD.

The $64,000 result far exceeded the most recent public auction result for the variety, when the MS66RD example brought $3,150.

Other Lincoln Cent Highlights

Several other coins from the TropicalBats collection also exceeded prior auction records, price guide levels, or available market references.

• A 1996 Lincoln cent graded PCGS MS63RB with the DDO FS-101 variety sold for $3,130. DLRC noted that the coin had no prior auction records or price guide estimates and that only eight examples have been graded by PCGS.
• A 1972 Lincoln cent graded PCGS MS63RB with the DDO FS-104 variety realized $4,669, compared with a PCGS Price Guide value of $1,050 and a prior auction result of $881.
• A 1930-D Lincoln cent graded PCGS MS65RD in an old green holder brought $602, above its PCGS Price Guide value of $175.
• A 1942-S/S Lincoln cent graded PCGS MS67RD with the RPM FS-512 variety sold for $6,050. Its PCGS Price Guide value is $1,800, with a prior auction result of $1,763.
• A 1961-D/Horizontal D Lincoln cent graded PCGS MS67RD, FS-501, realized $4,716. The coin is the sole finest known at PCGS, according to DLRC, with no PCGS Price Guide value listed at that grade. The MS66 level is listed at $400.
• Among modern proof issues, a 2025-S Shield cent graded PCGS PR70RD DCAM First Strike sold for $375, compared with a Greysheet Ask of $130.

DLRC Cites Collector Demand

John Brush, President of DLRC, said the firm was pleased with the results and the response from Lincoln cent collectors.

“My phone started blowing up on Thursday evening with messages via social media about the record price … While we couldn’t have possibly expected such a result on this coin, we were excited for the consignor as we were able to fulfill his wishes in marketing and presenting the collection to Lincoln Collectors across the board,” Brush said.

Brush added that DLRC’s photography, technical presentation, and collector-focused approach helped support the results.

“Our expert photography, technical excellence, and focus on the collector’s needs are the lynchpin of what we do at DLRC, and we were excited to not only produce these record-breaking results for the consignor but to help collectors build their collections,” Brush said.

Proceeds to Support Penn State Scholarship

The collection was consigned by Keith Christensen, who plans to use the proceeds to endow a scholarship at Penn State University.

“I opened my registry set in 2024 with the ambitious goal to complete it (as much as possible) by the end of 2025. It finished in the number 5 spot at 97.61% complete, an accomplishment I am extremely proud of,” Christensen said.

Christensen, a Penn State graduate with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, said the proceeds will help support future students in the field.

“One of my long-term goals has been to set up and endow a scholarship to assist future Wildlife Biologists in their education. I am beyond ecstatic to say that the sale of this Lincoln Cent collection will be used to endow the scholarship,” he said.

The TropicalBats name reflects Christensen’s career as a wildlife biologist and his collecting focus.

“As far as the registry set name … After Penn State, I have had a wonderful and amazing career as a Wildlife Biologist. My specialty is bats, and I have found particular enjoyment in bats of the tropics,” Christensen said. “This collection name is a fun way to link my two passions, bats and Lincoln Cents!”

DLRC (www.dlrccoins.com) said it is accepting consignments for upcoming Sunday and Red Carpet Rarities auctions. Lot viewing and consignment inquiries can be arranged through DLRC in Virginia Beach, Virginia.