The Lincoln cent has been produced since 1909, making it the longest-running coin design in US history. Over more than a century of production at multiple mint facilities, mistakes happen — dies crack, planchets get mishandled, and hub impressions occasionally misalign. The result? Error coins that are worth dramatically more than one cent. Some Lincoln penny errors sell for thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars.
The remarkable thing about Lincoln cent errors is that many are still found in pocket change and old coin jars. You don't need to visit a coin show to find them. This guide covers the most valuable Lincoln penny errors and how to spot them.
| Error | Year(s) | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Copper Cent | 1943 | $60,000–$150,000 | $200,000+ |
| 1944 Steel Cent | 1944 | $40,000–$100,000 | $175,000+ |
| 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse | 1969 | $30,000–$60,000 | $100,000+ |
| 1955 Doubled Die Obverse | 1955 | $1,000–$3,000 | $5,000–$15,000 |
| 1972 Doubled Die Obverse | 1972 | $200–$400 | $400–$700 |
| 1992 Close AM | 1992 | $2,000–$5,000 | $5,000–$15,000 |
| 1995 Doubled Die Obverse | 1995 | $25–$50 | $75–$150 |
| 1983 Doubled Die Reverse | 1983 | $100–$200 | $200–$400 |
| Off-Center (10–50%) | Various | $5–$50 | $20–$200 |
| Broadstrike | Various | $5–$20 | $15–$60 |
| Die Cap / Brockage | Various | $50–$200 | $100–$500 |
In 1943, the US Mint switched to zinc-coated steel cents to conserve copper for the war effort. However, a small number of copper planchets from 1942 were inadvertently left in the hopper and struck with the 1943 dies. The result: the legendary 1943 copper cent. Fewer than 30 authentic examples are known, and they sell for $60,000 to over $200,000 depending on grade and mint.
How to check: A genuine 1943 copper cent will NOT stick to a magnet (copper is non-magnetic). If your 1943 cent doesn't stick to a magnet, take it to a professional grader immediately. Warning: many copper-plated steel 1943 cents exist as fakes — only PCGS or NGC authentication can confirm authenticity.
The reverse error of the 1943 copper — in 1944, when the Mint switched back to copper, a few steel planchets remained and were struck with 1944 dies. These 1944 steel cents are similarly rare (about 30 known) and almost as valuable as the 1943 copper. Check your 1944 cents: if they stick to a magnet, you may have something extraordinary.
The 1955 Doubled Die is the most famous error in the Lincoln cent series and one of the most recognized coins in all of American numismatics. The obverse was struck twice with a misaligned hub, creating a dramatic doubling of all lettering and the date that's visible to the naked eye — no magnifier needed. "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and the date "1955" all show clear secondary images offset to the northeast.
Approximately 40,000 examples were released before the error was caught. They're genuinely scarce, and even heavily worn examples sell for $1,000+. In MS-63, expect $5,000–$10,000. These coins are widely counterfeited — machine doubling (a common mint process artifact) is often sold as 1955 DDO. On a genuine 1955 DDO, the doubled letters are sharp, rounded, and separated; machine doubling creates flat, shelf-like secondary images.
Even rarer than the 1955 DDO, the 1969-S Doubled Die shows extremely strong doubling on the obverse — "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and the date all show dramatic secondary images. The Secret Service actually seized many of these when they were first discovered, believing they were counterfeit. Fewer than 100 authenticated examples exist, and circulated pieces sell for $30,000+. This is an extremely rare coin.
The 1972 Doubled Die is the most accessible major doubled die for collectors. The doubling is strong on "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" and visible without magnification. Circulated examples trade for $200–$400 and uncirculated pieces for $400–$700 — making this a findable, affordable error coin that still commands serious premiums.
This is a reverse variety, not an obverse error. On normal 1992 Lincoln cents, the letters "A" and "M" in "AMERICA" on the reverse are slightly separated. On the 1992 Close AM variety, those letters nearly touch — a characteristic of proof dies accidentally used on business strike coins. Fewer than 10 are known, making this genuinely rare. Values start at $2,000 for circulated examples.
Doubled dies are the most commonly found and most valuable Lincoln cent errors. Here's how to distinguish genuine doubled dies from common look-alikes:
True doubled dies occur when the hub is impressed into the die twice at slightly different angles or positions. The result is lettering and design elements with rounded, distinct secondary images that appear as true duplicates of the primary design elements. They have depth and dimension.
Machine doubling (also called mechanical doubling or strike doubling) happens when the die slips slightly during striking. It creates flat, shelf-like "doubling" on one side of letters or numbers. Machine doubling is extremely common and adds no numismatic value — a machine-doubled cent is worth one cent. Learn to recognize the difference before getting excited.
Off-center strikes occur when the planchet isn't properly centered beneath the die. The result is a coin struck partially off the blank, with some of the design missing and a corresponding area of plain metal visible. Values depend on how far off-center the strike is and whether the date is visible:
The date must be visible for maximum value — a 50% off-center cent without a visible date is worth less than one that clearly shows the year.
The year 1982 was significant for Lincoln cents: the composition changed from 95% copper to zinc core with copper plating. This created transition errors — 1982 cents struck on the wrong composition planchet. A 1982-D Small Date bronze cent (copper composition) is worth $10,000–$15,000+. Check 1982 cents: copper cents weigh 3.1g, zinc cents weigh 2.5g. A postal scale can tell the difference.
Modern Lincoln cents (post-1982) continue to produce errors, including doubled dies (1995 DDO is findable in change and worth $25–$75), wrong planchet strikes, and die cracks. Keep your eyes open — errors are still entering circulation today.
🛒 Shop Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Errors on eBayLincoln penny errors range from the near-mythical 1943 copper cent worth $100,000+ to findable doubled dies worth $25–$200 that still turn up in pocket change. Check every 1943 cent with a magnet, examine 1955 and 1972 cents under magnification for doubled lettering, and look at 1992 cents for the Close AM reverse. The Lincoln cent series is the most productive area for error coin hunting precisely because billions are produced annually — and with billions struck, errors happen.