These varieties happened during the hubbing process at the Mint. In the 1940s, a coin die required multiple impressions from a master hub to define details and devices. If the working die shifted slightly, you get the doubled die. Here are examples from 1942.
1942 DDO FS-101
The 1942 Lincoln Cent DDO FS-101 error is popular and valuable with distinct doubling on the 1 and 9 of the date.
Additionally, you can find strong doubling on the portrait; Look at Lincoln’s eyelid. It shifts at the top.
Values for this variety range from about $50 in brown XF condition and into the hundreds for red uncirculated examples.
1942-S DDO
You can also find a 1942-S DDO cent. Look for doubling on the date, especially the “1” and “9.” Also look for thicker letters on “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.” You might find a trace of a doubled eyelid on the portrait, too.
Values for this doubled die retail for $15 to $130 in circulated grades and $200 to $850+ in uncirculated grades, depending on color of copper (brown, red brown, red).
1942-S/S RPM FS-512
There is also a popular 1942-S variety with the official designation as 1942-S/S RPM FS-512.
This repunched mintmark is relatively easy to spot because so many of the 85,590,000 1942-S cents were produced. So you should find one in higher mint states than other repunched coins. Of the three places to look for the error, the one on the top serif of the “S” is the key.
Values are in the hundreds of the dollars for low mint state. The auction record is $1,763 for an MS67 example.
Unless you are an experienced hobbyist, do not buy or bid on raw samples sold on eBay. Many of those lack the telltale markers.
Wheat Cent Varieties
Roll hunters and cent collectors might like to check Proxiblog’s error and variety directory for more Wheat Cent doubled dies:
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