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GreatCollections sold a 1971-S Eisenhower dollar prototype for $189,000 connected October 18, 2026, aft it was primitively picked up for little than $10 astatine the Long Beach Coin Expo successful 2008. The Judd-2147 portion is 1 of conscionable 3 known examples, featuring an earlier reverse with other lunar craters that was changed earlier the Ike dollar’s regular release.
Key Takeaways
- A sub-$10 coin bin prime turned retired to beryllium a six-figure rarity.
- Only 3 known examples exist, each recovered successful an improbable place.
- The resale terms landed good beneath its earlier peak.
At the Long Beach Coin Expo connected February 15, 2008, collector Lee C. Lydston spotted thing disconnected astir a 1971-S Eisenhower metallic dollar and bought it for little than $10. The oddity turned retired to beryllium a 1971-S Eisenhower dollar prototype, Judd-2147, an aboriginal Frank Gasparro reverse with other lunar craters that was changed earlier release. One of lone 3 known examples, the coin resurfaced astatine GreatCollections connected 10/18/2026 and sold for $189,000, adjacent aft bringing $264,000 astatine a Heritage Auctions merchantability successful 01/2022.
A $10 bargain that turned into a 6-figure resale
If you’ve spent immoderate clip astir niche online marketplaces, you cognize the thrill is often successful the details. That was the lawsuit for collector Lee C. Lydston, who connected February 15, 2008, picked up what looked similar a 40% metallic Ike dollar astatine the Long Beach Coin Expo. He paid little than $10, but the surfaces and plan cues felt off, successful a bully way.
That hunch aged well. The coin is present recognized arsenic a 1971-S Eisenhower dollar prototype, cataloged arsenic Judd-2147, with lone 3 known examples. The find portion is certified PCGS SP-67 with CAC Green approval, tied for finest known and the lone CAC-approved example, per the listing for the prototype/discovery coin.
The unfinished satellite that ne'er shipped
What separates this prototype from the regular-issue Ike dollar is connected the reverse, the broadside collectors obsess over. Designed by Mint Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro, the prototype shows further lunar craters and a less-detailed Earth, a glimpse of an earlier mentation that was changed earlier the nationalist release, arsenic described successful a 2022 preview.
The accumulation Eisenhower dollar, minted from 1971 to 1978, yet carried an eagle landing connected the Moon portion honoring some President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Apollo 11 Moon landing. The prototype’s “extra crater” look is the point: it captures a plan measurement that escaped the mean process of refinement and standardization.
GreatCollections closes astatine $189,000, beneath the anterior peak
On Sunday, October 18, 2026, GreatCollections sold the Lydston find coin for $189,000, per its October 18, 2026 top-ten recap. The individuality of the winning bidder was kept nether wraps, which is communal for high-end collecting wherever privateness is portion of the product.
It’s besides a reminder that adjacent utmost rarities commercialized similar existent markets. The aforesaid coin antecedently sold for $264,000 astatine a Heritage Auctions merchantability successful January 2022, meaning the 2026 effect was a little resale price, not a caller high.
Only 3 coins, and the treasure-hunt entreaty doesn’t fade
Two different Judd-2147 examples person surfaced successful arsenic improbable ways. Collector Charles “Chuck” Chatham recovered a 2nd prototype successful an Alabama pawn store successful 2010 for astir $5, and a 3rd was bought connected eBay successful 2013 for astir $22, aboriginal certified by PCGS arsenic Specimen-66.
Collector David Frohman, who purchased the Lydston find coin successful 2019 for an undisclosed amount, has a enactment that fits the full saga: “It’s the eventual treasure hunt story,” helium said.
English (US) 