2016-12-26 Mon

The ANA World’s Fair of Money August 2016 showcased the only known 1974-D aluminium cent that was returned to the US Mint after a dispute between two men and the Mint was settled.

One of the two private claimants to the coin, Michael McConnell removed the coin from its grading service holder and placed it into another plastic capsule before handing it over to the authorities at a federal building in San Diego.

The coin was certified by PCGS in December 2013. Randall Lawrence sold it to McConnell, for $300 and a small bag of coins. McConnell and Randall Lawrence owned the coin partly. It had an estimated value of $250,000 at Heritage’s Central States Numismatic Society Platinum Night auction on 24th April 2014.

On 26th February 2014, a separate letter was sent demanding the return of the piece, and the removal of the piece from the auction. On 17th March 2014, Lawrence and McConnell filed a case to retain the ownership of the coin. The 1974-D aluminium cent was taken off from the auction until the case was settled.