Saturday, August 30, 2008

Almost Rare

Do you have a cent and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

So I'm going through my penny jar and stumble upon a 1972 cent. I always look closely at these because of the famous example Doubled Die 1972 worth about $700.00 in MS-65. That is when I saw it a definite doubling.

Now a doubled die or hub doubling occurs when the blank die is being made in a hubbing process. Before 1997 the hub will make several impressions on the die and during one of these impressions it would shift slightly and leave a doubling on the die. This die then gets used to make coins and the image is transferred to each coin. It should be found by mint employees and the batch recycled, but a few escape.

Back to my find I rush to view it under good lights and a higher magnification, at the same time I already started make plans on how I'll sell it and pay bills. To my dismay it wasn't the famous version.

Of course the coin look normal in the pictures above. I got my camera out for the next set of images.




The images were not the best but trust me they are not flat and easily identified as doubled dies.


Here are some scanner images.







You quickly notice three things.
  1. This is not machine doubling because the secondary impression is not flat.
  2. There is some verdigris damage.
  3. This not the famous 1972P-1DO-001 worth hundreds.
There are eight varieties of 1972 doubled die cents and only one is valuable. This one is the 1972P-1DO-008 meaning it has one doubling on the obverse(1DO), and it is the eighth distinct variety found(008). This is the most common of all the varieties and unless perfect not worth much.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1972 (1972P-1DO-008)
Mintage: 2,933,255,000 (unknown how many of each type exists)
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Zinc
Value: $0.20 in G-4 (Although this one maybe less.)

I wish I could get better pictures but with my point and shoot camera it is really difficult. Plus adjusting the scanner settings is very laborious.

Do you have a Doubled Die cent and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

26 dollars worth, for Comments/Questions click here.:

James (UK) said...

Very interesting and thanks for the pictures.

Did you get over-exicted, or are you like me, and stay cool-headed until you really can "confirm" anything like that?

Man said...

I got a bit excited but calmly grabbed every reference I own and confirmed what I didn't have.

If I were a less excited the pictures would have turned out better.

James (UK) said...

*Grins*

Oh, I like that "$2.00-worth of comments" effect, by the way!

ROLLINFOOL said...

i have a 1981 can. penny with no queens head just inverted impression of mapleleaf side. value

Man said...

1981 can. penny with no queens head just inverted impression of mapleleaf side.

This is called Brockage in fine it's about $25.00 of course if it's red and sharp on the other side it will be worth more.

Anonymous said...

i am interested in buying this coin if it has value. what is its value?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1951-S-Lincoln-Wheat-Penny-Double-Error_W0QQitemZ130253427120QQihZ003QQcategoryZ524QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Man said...

looking to buy this but before i do i want to know what it is worth.

The coin looks damaged the fact they don't show the reverse is telling.

Even if this is an error it would be some sort of die crack so no extra value.
It's about $0.20 without reverse images, assuming a real error.

Sharon said...

Recently came across a 1990P Lincoln Memorial Penny with some errors and I would like to know what type they are and how they came to be. I have photos but do not see an option to upload them.

Man said...

I have photos but do not see an option to upload them.

You created a blog "NewBee Coiner" just upload your photos there and drop a link. Make a post and show off as many photos you want.

If not you can use photobucket or another free site and drop a link.

Sharon said...

Here is the link:

http://newbeecoiner.blogspot.com/

Man said...

Here is the link

The second image is just a common weak late state die.

The scratches are direct signs of late stage polishing.

The dent is odd but it is either a lamination error, an obstructed die, or just a dent. Without the coin in hand it's very hard to tell. The rim suggest a dent but the edge of the hole suggest it was a lamination error.

That said judging by the other pictures it is either a lamination error at about $3.00 or a worthless dent. The fact that it's a late-stage die would keep any value very low.

Sorry I couldn't be more precise.

Man said...

Let me explain a little more for other to also understand.

A die is used several thousands of times to press the coin. It then gets polished to keep details sharp and then reused.

After a while the die is so scratched from polishing that it begins to form cracks, collects dirt, and break. This is a late stage or weak state die. Soon after this the die would be destroyed.

Sharon said...

Thanks!!! :) You have been extremely helpful! I now have a better understanding. Enjoy your day.

Anonymous said...

I've never done this before but have run accross an "error" penny that is completly blank on both sides. Can it be worth anything? Even $.01?

Man said...

run accross an "error" penny that is completly blank on both sides.
Blank Planchet Error very nice.

Type 2 about $3.00
Type 1 about $10.00

A type 2 means that the rim was upset or formed. If the rim was not there it would be type 1 or type I.

Anonymous said...

I recently purchased a 1972 Lincoln Penny Double Die Obverse ms-65 RD...

Any idea what it's worth?

Man said...

1972 Lincoln Penny Double Die Obverse ms-65 RD

There are 8 varieties and only this one...
1972P-1DO-001 is valuable.
Assuming that is the one you have it's about $550.00.

Anonymous said...

i have a wide AM and a small AM
i'm just wondering how much there worth

Man said...

i have a wide AM and a small AM

Assuming a cent. What year?

Anonymous said...

i am digging through my dads "old Piggy bank" and am finding a lot of pennies from 1990 and a lot from before 1970 and i have looked and some have mint marks and some don't what should i do with the non mint marked ones?

Man said...

what should i do with the non mint marked ones?


Same thing that you do with the others, they are not special.

No mintmark is normal it means it's from Philadelphia.

Anonymous said...

i have a bunch of coins that i would be happy if u would tell me the values of.. they are:
1936 -XF
1937 -XF
1939 -XF
1940 -XF
1941 -FINE
1946D -good but has a scratch on the side
1946 -XF
1946 -POOR CONDITION
1946 -OK CONDITION
1949 -XF
1951D -OK CONDITION
1952D -XF
1953D -XF
1953 -GOOD
1954S -XF
1955D -OK CONDITION
1956D -XF
1956D -SHINY!
1957D -XF
1958D -XF
1952 canadian
1953 canadian

Man said...

1936 -XF about $1.50
1937 -XF about $1.00
1939 -XF about $0.50
1940 -XF about $0.60
1941 -FINE about $0.20
1946D -good but has a scratch on the side about $0.03
1946 -XF about $0.20
1946 -POOR CONDITION about $0.03
1946 -OK CONDITION about $0.03
1949 -XF about $0.20
1951D -OK CONDITION about $0.03
1952D -XF about $0.15
1953D -XF about $0.15
1953 -GOOD about $0.03
1954S -XF about $0.12
1955D -OK CONDITION about $0.03
1956D -XF about $0.12
1956D -SHINY! about $0.20
1957D -XF about $0.12
1958D -XF about $0.12
1952 canadian about $0.10
1953 canadian about $0.10

S said...

I found two american pennies from 1921 and 1920 in my change today, and I was wondering what they're worth? The 1921 is in quite good condition and has turned a dark brown colour, but the 1920 has a very faint relief and hardly any detail.

Man said...

american pennies
1921 is in quite good condition and has turned a dark brown colour
--About $2.00

1920 has a very faint relief and hardly any detail.
--About $0.20

Unknown said...

I have a 1990 uncirculated Lincoln penny with his initials in his head double dyed. What is it worth.