COIN collectors can make a mint if they spot a piece with a double die obverse, with Lincoln cents selling for eye-watering price tags online.
The US Mint has struck cents that feature 16th US President Abraham Lincoln since 1909.
More than 100 years later, there are plenty of various Lincoln pennies in existence, including the wheat and memorial versions.
The most valuable coins are usually those that were minted in low numbers or come with an error, if not both.
Below we explain what you need to know about Lincoln double die obverse (DDO) coins, which years are the most valuable and how much they’re worth.
What are Lincoln double die obverse pennies?
A doubled die obverse coin is produced when the coin die is not properly manufactured.
This leads to the appearance of two images on a single coin die, meaning there’s a duplicate of letters, numbers, or words.
The more obvious and distinct the error is, the more the coin is usually worth.
Plenty of Lincoln coins have been minted with the double die obverse error, although it’s possible to find other pieces with the same issue too.
Which Lincoln DDO coins are most valuable?
The 1958 coin is the rarest and most valuable of all the Lincoln double die obverse wheat pennies, according to USA Coin Book.
It noted that there are “only a handful known to exist”.
The coins are best identified by the clear doubling of the text “In God We Trust” and the doubling of the word “Liberty” on the front of the coin.
The 1958 date is also slightly doubled, although this isn’t as prominent as the doubling of the words, it added.
According to the site, the 1958 coins are worth up to $214,211 in an uncirculated condition.
Meanwhile, the most valuable double die obverse coin based on recently completed eBay listings is the 1955 version.
In December, one piece sold for $2,000 after racking up 44 bids from collectors.
It came after another piece sold for $1,825 in November.
Other Lincoln 1955 coins that recently sold online include one for $1,801 and another for $1,552.
While a Lincoln double die obverse coin from 1972 sold for $325 a few months ago.
If you have a double die obverse coin, keep in mind that it’s only worth how much someone else is willing to pay for it, so you’re not guaranteed to make a windfall.
How to find rare coins
There are many ways you can find rare coins.
The first thing you’ll want to do is check places in your home or any places you might store change.
Other things you can try include using a metal detector in known areas for buried treasure and stopping by your local bank branch to ask for a wrapper of pennies.
You can also try to get a good deal on one online through USA Coin Book or eBay.
But make sure you research the coin first and know what it’s worth before buying.
You’ll also want to be aware of potential fakes online.
To avoid this, make sure you check the seller’s history and whether or not the coin was certified in the listing.
