DALLAS (AP) -- An experimental U.S. penny struck to test a design in 1792 sold at auction for almost $2.6 million a day after another rare penny sold for $2.35 million at the same collectors' convention.

Heritage Auctions in Dallas said the 1792 coin sold Thursday for $2,585,000 to a California man. A Heritage official says the coin is called the "Birch cent" after engraver Robert Birch.

This rare U.S. penny, struck to test a design in 1792, sold at auction Thursday for $2,585,000 to a California man. (AP Photo/Heritage Auctions)
This rare U.S. penny, struck to test a design in 1792, sold at auction Thursday for $2,585,000 to a California man. (AP Photo/Heritage Auctions)
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The official calls it the "finest" of only about 10 known surviving examples of the pennies struck to test a design depicting "Miss Liberty," surrounded by the words "Liberty Parent of Science & Industry." That motto wasn't adopted for circulating coins.

A U.S. penny from 1793 sold Wednesday for $2.35 million. It's known as a "chain cent" because of the design on the back.

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