What makes a doubled die cent valuable? First, easily recognized doubling as in the 1972 DDO cent. Second, ultra rare errors, such as the illusive 1969-S DDO with under 50 found and holdered. Third, easily recognized doubling in high grade and sufficient quantities to make them must-have additions to any Lincoln Memorial Cent collection.
And those are the 1983 doubled die reverse, the 1984 doubled ear reverse, and the 1995 doubled die obverse.
The hub doubling for these three cents is so pronounced that you do not need a loupe or microscope to view them, as you might with the 2004 DDR FS-801 or 2006 DDO FS-101 below.
1983 Doubled Die Reverse
PCGS numismatist Jamie Hernandez writes that the 1983 DDR is possibly the strongest Doubled Die Reverse coin in the Lincoln Cent series. Look for the doubling on “United,” “E Pluribus Unum” and “One Cent.”
Visit PCGS CoinFacts to see current values. Typically these retail for $500 in MS65.
Because thousands were minted, you have a chance of finding one in an uncirculated roll or even in pocket change.
1984 Doubled Ear Obverse
Hub doubling on devices are especially coveted, and that’s what you will find in the 1984 Double Ear error:
Hernandez writes that the 1984 Doubled Die obverse is considered a major variety because the image is easily detected, even in worn examples. “There are possibly several thousand examples in existence in all grades combined.”
A 1984 DDO MS65 example retails for about $300.
Other Doubled “Ears”
Two other coins have “ear”-related doubled dies and are included here to distinguish it from the 1984 DDO.
It took decades, but another strong doubled die was found in the 1988 cent created by a tilted die. PCGS has holdered only one sold for thousands at Heritage:
In 1997, the Philadelphia mint produced cents with a doubled ear lobe, designated “Double Ear” FS-101 by PCGS. This error is included here to distinguish it from the must-have 1984 DDO. In MS65 Red, this minor DDO sells for about $100.
1995 Doubled Die
Hernandez writes that this error is the most dramatic doubled die for all circulating coins from 1995 to the present date. “And because so many of them were struck, they are easily affordable that just about anyone can own one.”
The 1995 DDO cent is so plentiful that an MS65 example retails for less than $100. As such, try to acquire one in high mint state. You can own an MS68 example for about $150.
Because Lincoln Memorial cents have been manufactured in such high quantities, a mint state set (1958-2008) is easy to assemble. However, if you add the 1983 DDR, the 1984 Double Ear and the 1995 DDO, you will have put together a more complete, engaging collection.
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