5¢ Coin Was Stuck to Gum Under a Desk: What began as a simple cleaning task in a Pennsylvania middle school has now turned into a national sensation. A school janitor, just doing his routine rounds before classroom renovations, noticed something metallic peeking out from a hardened wad of chewing gum stuck beneath a wooden desk. Curious, he scraped it off — only to discover an old, unusual-looking nickel hidden inside the gum.
Not Just Another Nickel
At first glance, the coin looked grimy and insignificant, but the janitor, who happens to be a coin enthusiast during his off-hours, immediately sensed there was more to this coin than met the eye. He contacted local experts to take a closer look. What they found shocked even the professionals — the coin was a 1913 Liberty Head nickel, an extremely rare piece with only five known examples in existence. This type of nickel was never officially released by the U.S. Mint, making it a mysterious and highly valuable collector’s item.
A Journey from Gum to Global Spotlight
The coin’s strange journey only adds to its mystique. For over a century, it remained hidden in plain sight — and no one knows exactly how it ended up stuck under a student’s desk. Historians and collectors have floated a few theories. Perhaps it was unknowingly used in everyday transactions and landed in the hands of a student who simply used it as chewing gum disposal. Or maybe someone, recognizing its potential value, hid it under the desk either as a prank or with plans to retrieve it later. Whatever the backstory, this forgotten coin is now heading to the big stage.
Millions of Dollars for a Nickel? It Could Happen
Experts have already appraised the coin and placed its estimated value between $3 million and $5 million. That puts this gum-covered nickel in the running to become one of the most valuable in history. It’s slated to be the star item at Sotheby’s rare coin auction this fall, where collectors from all over the world are expected to bid for a chance to own it. The coin is currently being professionally cleaned and preserved, ensuring that it’s in pristine shape for its auction debut.
Collectors Are Buzzing
This discovery has ignited excitement across the numismatic community. Collectors live for these once-in-a-lifetime finds — a rare artifact that somehow slips through the cracks of history, only to resurface in the most unexpected way. Finding such a valuable coin not in a vault or museum, but beneath a middle school desk, has added an almost magical twist to the tale.
As one seasoned coin expert put it, “This is what makes collecting so special. It’s not just about what something is worth — it’s about where it’s been and the stories it carries.”
A Reminder to Look Twice
Now securely stored and authenticated, the nickel will soon be introduced to the world under the bright lights of Sotheby’s auction room. But its humble origins are not forgotten. The coin still carries the memories of pencil marks, dusty classroom floors, and decades of being overlooked.
This incredible story is a reminder that history doesn’t always sit in museums. Sometimes, it’s stuck under an old desk waiting to be rediscovered. So next time you’re cleaning out a drawer or brushing off an old piece of furniture, keep your eyes open — you never know what piece of the past you might find.
