The All-Time #1 Lincoln Cent Proof Set “Red Copper Collection” to be Auctioned by GreatCollections

Collected Over 50 Years by East Coast Collector

(Irvine, California – July 15, 2022) — For the past 20 years, the “Red Copper Collection” has won almost all the top Registry Set awards for Lincoln Cents. The famed collection was carefully put together one coin at a time over the past 50 years by an advanced East Coast collector.

But now other collectors have the opportunity to own part of it, as the collection is being auctioned by GreatCollections in a series of auctions during late August and early September. It is the finest Proof Lincoln Cent set ever formed, and therefore, the finest to ever appear in auction. With 97 coins in total, it includes one of each year issued from 1909 through 2022.

The collection starts with the rare Matte Proof issues from 1909 to 1916. The key 1909 VDB Proof is graded PCGS PR67+RD. It was formerly part of Norman Stack’s type set.

Three others from the Matte Proof series have been graded PR68 RD – the 1909 (non VDB), 1910, and 1914. The eye appeal of each of the coins is outstanding and were the absolute finest and most attractive examples available. The regular 1909 Proof (non-VDB) was previously owned by John Story Jenks. Several were purchased from original Proof Sets, including the 1910, 1913, 1914, and 1915, and in two cases, the owner had to acquire the complete Proof Set just to retain the penny for his collection.

In later dates, one of the keys is Red Copper’s 1951 Lincoln, graded PR67DCAM and is the only example graded by PCGS with the DCAM designation. For the same year, 1951, a second example is present, graded PCGS PR68CAM and it is tied with one other as the finest cameo known.

With perhaps one or two minor exceptions, none of the coins have ever appeared in auction previously, which is almost unheard of in today’s numismatic market.

Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections, said, “The Red Copper Collection is a privilege to handle. In showing these coins to visiting clients at our office over the past two weeks, everyone has been blown away by the superb quality. The number of hours that the owner put into this collection over the past 50 years can be seen immediately when you view the coins.”

Bidding on the Red Copper Collection will start at $1, as all coins are being sold unreserved over three weeks of auctions at GreatCollections, with bidding to end on August 28, September 4, and September 11. The collection will be on display at the ANA World’s Fair of Money at the GreatCollections table 1105.

Highlights from the Red Copper Proof Lincoln Cent Collection include:

• 1909 VDB Lincoln Cent PCGS PR67+RD
• 1909 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR68RD
• 1910 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR68RD
• 1911 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR66+RD
• 1912 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR65RD
• 1913 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR67+RD
• 1914 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR68RD
• 1915 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR67RD
• 1916 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR65RD
• 1936 Lincoln Cent Type 1 PCGS PR66RD
• 1936 Lincoln Cent Type 2 PCGS PR67RD
• 1937 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR67RDCAM
• 1938 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR67RDCAM
• 1939 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR67+RD
• 1940 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR67+RD
• 1941 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR67RD
• 1942 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR67RDCAM
• 1951 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR67DCAM
• 1951 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR68CAM

Aside from being on view at the ANA’s World Fair of Money in August, the Red Copper Collection is available for viewing at the Irvine, California, headquarters of GreatCollections by appointment. To view high-quality images and register to bid visit www.greatcollections.com or call 1-800-442-6467.

About GreatCollections

GreatCollections, the official auction house of the American Numismatic Association, specializes in auctioning certified coins and banknotes, handling transactions from start to finish. Since its founding in 2010, GreatCollections has successfully auctioned over 1 million certified coins, making it one of the leading certified-coin companies in the United States with annual sales in 2021 exceeding $235 million. Ian Russell, owner/president of GreatCollections, is a member of the prestigious Professional Numismatists Guild and member of the National Auctioneers Association. For more information about GreatCollections, visit www.greatcollections.com or call 800-442-6467.