Which penny is double stamped?
The 1955 doubled die Lincoln penny is one of the most famous error coins produced by the United States Mint. The doubling on the obverse is dramatic and can be seen without magnification.
Other double die pennies
In average condition, the 1955 double die penny is worth $1,318, according to USA Coin Book. The value could surpass $17,000 if in an MS 63 grade. One buyer recently paid more than $2,000 for a circulated 1955 piece in a high grade.
1972 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln penny
What is this? It is estimated that the Philadelphia mint accidentally produced about 20,000 coins with this error. Their value is approximately $75, but some well-preserved pieces with striking doubling can be pricey.
So for the past 30 years, pennies have been made with an alloy comprised of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, but pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc. The price of copper has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years.
1977 S proof Lincoln penny
The San Francisco mint produced only proof pennies in 1977. Their number was limited to 3,251,152 pieces, making their price high in some cases.
According to CNBC's Make It, the US made 7.7 billion pennies in 1983, but only about 5,000 are known to have this doubling error — making them valuable to those who find one in their possession.
Check the small uppercase letter directly below the date. Look carefully for a second letter below the first, as this is an easy-to-spot indicator of a double-die.
- 1914-S Lincoln Penny.
- 1944-D Lincoln Penny (Zinc-coated steel)
- 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny.
- 1872 Indian Head Penny.
- 1969-S Lincoln Penny-Doubled Die Obverse.
- 1926-S Lincoln Penny.
- 1877 Indian Head Penny.
- 1914-D Lincoln Penny.
The Most Expensive Penny
The 1943 copper-alloy cent is one of the most enigmatic coins in American numismatics — and reportedly the most valuable Lincoln penny of all.
In 2009, the U.S. Mint made four special penny designs to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. It was also the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln penny, which the Mint first made in 1909. The image of Lincoln remained on the obverse (heads) of all four cents in the new program.
What is the 1969 D penny error?
In the book Cherrypickers' Guide-fifth edition it is listed as a variety "Missing Designer's Initials". It has a FS-01-1969-D-901 number. The authors maintain that during die polishing the initials were completely polished away. Other people feel that the die was filled with grease or some form of dirt.
Look closely at the overall look of the printed image. If the edges clearly appear doubled, then you have a double-die coin.
The critical difference is that double-struck coins are struck more than once while the coin is in the coining chamber of the coining press. When this happens, the first impression is flattened or sometimes obliterated by the second strike.
A true 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse cent will have strong and prominent doubling on the date. The doubling appears on a south-east direction and is more prominent on the date, the word LIBERTY, and the words IN GOD WE TRUST.
Most modern double stamped or multiple strike error coins are rather common and have minimal extra collector value. Usually under $100.00 with many rather dramatic examples to be had for only a few dollars.