Lincoln pennies are common in everyday change, but certain minting mistakes can make a coin extremely valuable. This guide lists the top 10 Lincoln penny errors, explains how to spot them, and gives practical steps to authenticate and sell rare pieces.
How Lincoln Penny Errors Can Make You Rich
Error coins draw collector interest because they are scarce and visually distinct. Demand from specialized collectors and grading services often pushes prices well above face value.
Top 10 Lincoln Penny Errors That Can Make You Rich
Below are ten widely recognized Lincoln penny errors. Each entry explains what to look for and why collectors pay premiums.
1. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse
The 1955 doubled die shows very strong doubling on the date and inscriptions. This striking doubling is easy to spot and remains one of the most sought-after Lincoln penny errors.
Spotting tips: look for doubled letters in LIBERTY and obvious doubling on the date.
2. 1943 Bronze or Copper Planchet
Most 1943 cents were struck in steel due to wartime copper shortages. A 1943 penny struck on bronze or copper is a major rarity and commands intense interest from collectors.
Spotting tips: check color — a true bronze 1943 will be brown or red, not silver-gray.
3. Off-Center Strikes
Off-center Lincoln pennies display part of the design shifted away from the center. Value scales with the degree of off-centering and the visible design elements.
Spotting tips: coins more than 25% off-center tend to be more valuable.
4. Double Strikes and Multiple Strikes
Double strikes happen when a coin is struck more than once, producing ghost images or doubled features. These errors create eye-catching coins that many collectors want.
Spotting tips: look for repeated outlines of the bust, date, or lettering.
5. Broadstrikes and Broadstruck Errors
Broadstruck pennies were not properly constrained by the collar, producing a larger, thin coin with distorted rims. These are collectible when the strike is clean.
Spotting tips: compare diameter and rim shape with a normal penny.
6. Repunched Mint Marks (RPM)
Repunched mint marks occur when the mint mark is punched more than once in slightly different positions. RPMs on pennies like 1960-D can be valuable to specialized collectors.
Spotting tips: use magnification to compare the mint mark for weak second impressions.
7. Die Cracks and Cuds
Die cracks show raised lines on the coin where the die has fractured, while a cud is a missing area of design near the rim caused by die breakage. Both indicate die wear and often interest top error collectors.
Spotting tips: look for raised lines or blobs of metal that break the design outline.
8. Overstrikes and Mule Errors
Mule errors occur when the obverse and reverse dies are not intended to be paired. Overstrikes show remnants of previous designs and occasionally produce rare combinations.
Spotting tips: unusual design pairings or traces of another coin design are the clues.
9. Missing Letters or Repunched Date Errors
Sometimes letters or numerals are weak, doubled, or missing due to die damage or hub problems. Distinct missing elements can be very collectible when the cause is a true minting error.
Spotting tips: compare suspected errors to a known normal example under magnification.
10. Struck Through Errors
Struck through errors occur when debris on the die surface prevents part of the design from striking. These coins show clear voids or impressions that deviate from normal strikes.
Spotting tips: look for unusual flat or distorted sections on the fields or devices.
How to Spot Valuable Lincoln Penny Errors
Use simple tools like a loupe (10x) and a flat, neutral-colored surface to inspect coins. Photograph coins under good light to evaluate features and compare to reference images.
- Inspect dates and letters for doubling or repunching.
- Check metal color for 1943 bronze/copper planchets.
- Measure diameter for broadstrikes or off-center degrees.
Authentication and Grading
After identifying a possible error, send the coin to a recognized third-party grading service for authentication. Certified errors typically fetch higher prices and appear more credible to buyers.
Reputable services include PCGS and NGC; they offer attribution for many error types and help establish market value.
Some penny errors are caused by leftover planchets or a misfed coin blank. Even small minting mistakes can create coins worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Where to Sell or Auction Error Pennies
Sell through established auction houses, specialist coin dealers, or certified auction platforms for error coins. Listings with clear photos and certification attract better bids.
Always include provenance and grading reports when available to maximize buyer trust.
Case Study: A Found Treasure
A hobbyist found a heavily doubled 1955 Lincoln cent in circulated change and suspected it was a doubled die. After submitting the coin to a grading service, it received attribution and sold to a collector. The return on a small investment in grading fees illustrated how identification and certification unlocked the coin’s value.
Final Tips for Collectors
Keep coins safe in non-PVC flips and avoid cleaning error coins, as cleaning can reduce value. Join local coin clubs or online forums to learn how to spot and verify rare Lincoln penny errors.
Careful examination, proper authentication, and smart selling strategies are the practical steps to turn an error penny into a valuable find.
