Rare US penny sells for $300G at auction in Florida

This undated image supplied by Heritage Auctions reveals a 1793 cent made by the U.S. mint inPhiladelphia The penny increased for auction at the yearly Florida Numismatic Convention in Tampa, Fla., today. (HeritageAuctions by means of AP)

TAMPA,Fla (AP)– When is a penny worth $300,000?

When it is among the very first copper coins struck at the United States Mint in Philadelphia, in 1793.

The yearly Florida United Numismatists (ENJOYABLE) convention was held in Tampa today. It’s thought about among the 5 biggest coin and currency collectors’ programs in the country, professionals state, and 3 historical coins, consisting of the expensive penny, increased for auction Thursday night. In all, the auction drew $249 million in sales.

MarkBorckardt, a senior numismatist with Heritage Auctions in Dallas, stated the George Washington- age penny is among about 500 in presence.

1515240985 309 rare us penny sells for 300g at auction in florida - Rare US penny sells for $300G at auction in Florida

(This undated supplied offered by Heritage Auctions reveals a 1838 half-dollar minted in New Orleans in 1838 that increased for auction at the yearly Florida Numismatic Convention in Tampa, Fla., today. The coin is among the rarest and most enigmatic coins in U.S. history. Only 10 examples are understood to exist in the world. (HeritageAuctions by means of AP))

Other high-value U.S. coins offered at auction consisted of a half-dollar minted in New Orleans in1838 It was among the very first 20 produced there.

A $4 gold piece called a “Flowing Hair Stella,” offered for $750,000

1515240985 846 rare us penny sells for 300g at auction in florida - Rare US penny sells for $300G at auction in Florida

(This undated image supplied by Heritage Auctions reveals an 1880 $4 gold piece called a “Flowing Hair Stella,” thought about among the excellent rarities in America gold coins. The coin offered at auction for $750,000 throughout the yearly Florida United Numismatists Convention, in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Jan., 4,2018 (HeritageAuctions by means of AP))

“It was an experimental piece that the government produced, hoping to create an international coinage,”Borckardt stated. “It’s literally the forerunner of today’s Euro. The government finally decided no, that’s not going to work.”

There are just about 15 to 20 of those quarter-sized gold coins in presence.

The coins had high worth due to their rarity and exceptional condition.

“Collectors interested in these have a very strong sense of history, both American history and financial history,” stated Borckardt.