The phrase “L on the rim” often gets thrown around on eBay, with some claiming it refers to a rare error on the penny where the letter “L” in Liberty is printed on the edge of the coin.
A lot of new collectors will also pop up on Reddit asking about it, due to the misinformation proliferated on eBay.
But here’s the thing: L on the rim is not an error at all.
It’s normal wear and tear. It adds no value to the coin, and does not make it more collectible. I repeat, because I really want to reiterate this: it does not make it more valuable.
If you go through any number of coin rolls on any given day, you’ll find a ton of these, especially on pennies in the 1960s.
So, if you’re thinking about purchasing an “L on the rim” for your collection, don’t. You will be overpaying for what’s essentially a common, worn Lincoln cent. That said, if it’s just something you like, totally feel free to collect and enjoy it. The main purpose of this post is to prevent folks from being scammed.
Do your research and verify the authenticity of any coin before making a purchase. And remember: not everything is an error or a rare find.
Happy collecting!
Leave a Reply