Key Takeaways:
- Error pennies are popular because they represent a rare moment where minting doesn’t go according to plan.
- Modern pennies can have errors, too, and the 1992 Close AM Reverse is one example.
- The 1972 Doubled Die Obverse is one of the most dramatic post-1955 doubling varieties, and it remains affordable enough for many collectors to acquire.
Error pennies are popular because they represent a rare moment when minting doesn’t go according to plan. A misalignment or a doubled date can turn an ordinary penny into a highly sought-after collectible.
For beginners, it would be easy to mix up a valuable error coin with one that has been altered. This guide details 10 unique penny errors, their value on the market, and what American Hartford Gold has to offer new clients.
1. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse
The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse, known fondly as the king of modern penny errors, is an exciting find for new and seasoned collectors alike. Its bold, doubled lettering, visible without a magnifier, sets it apart from more subtle varieties.
Most entered circulation before workers noticed the mistake. Demand has remained high for decades, making this penny a frequent headliner at coin shows and auctions.
How the Error Happened
In 1955, the Philadelphia Mint used a hubbing press that required multiple impressions to create a working die. If the die shifts even slightly between impressions, design elements will overlap, causing doubled images.
On this coin, the shift was large enough to duplicate “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date. Since the error die struck thousands of cents late on a shift, many made their way into roll stock before being discovered.
Current Market Value
Circulated examples in Fine condition often trade near $1,500, depending on luster and surface marks. Mid-grade pieces with even red-brown tones can reach $8,000.
High-end survivors graded MS65 Red can command five figures. Auction records show top coins climbing past $60,000 in the proper condition.
2. 1969S Doubled Die Obverse
The 1969S Doubled Die Obverse is quite rare. Early reports of counterfeits led collectors to approach these coins with caution. Professional certification is now a requirement for market acceptance. Despite the hurdles, demand remains high since only a few genuine pieces exist.
How the Error Happened
This variety came from a single mis-hubbed die at the San Francisco Mint. Unlike many errors, it was discovered years later when a collector spotted odd lettering on a circulation piece.
The Secret Service seized some counterfeits in the 1970s, adding to the coin’s unique history. Authentic examples resurfaced once authentication tools improved.
Current Market Value
Heavily worn pieces rarely come about, but a genuine VF coin could earn $25,000 or more. XF grades push into the $40,000 range, while certified MS64 Reds have sold for over $400,000.
Since the variety is rare, even red-brown pieces with minor spotting can draw strong bids. Collectors are willing to accept slight flaws as long as the coin is authentic.
3. 1992 Close AM Reverse
Modern pennies can have errors, too, and the 1992 Close AM Reverse is one example. This variety surfaced when a circulation-strike die accidentally received a proof-style reverse hub.
How the Error Happened
In 1992, the Mint updated its dies for proof sets, giving the word “AMERICA” a wide gap between the A and M. Circulation strikes kept the older, close-gap look.
A small number of coins used the new proof reverse by mistake. Since coin surfaces looked normal at a glance, they left the production line in regular bags and rolls.
Current Market Value
Red-brown AU coins often earn $1,500. Nice MS64s can reach $10,000. Population reports show only a few dozen graded above MS65.
Since the gap is small, certification provides peace of mind, especially when the value climbs past five figures. Dealers are willing to pay generous finder’s fees for raw examples found in roll searches.
4. 1983 Doubled Die Reverse
The 1983 Doubled Die Reverse offers a more affordable entry into the world of error coins. Its bold spread on “ONE CENT” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” outshines earlier classics.
How the Error Happened
After switching to a copper-plated zinc core in 1982, the mint produced billions of lightweight pennies. Amid the rush, one reverse die in 1983 received a misaligned hub blow.
The error was caught fairly quickly, but enough coins had already circulated to create a decent, but still rare, supply.
Current Market Value
Circulated examples in XF condition trade around $75 to $125. Red MS63 coins sell between $300 and $450.
Top-grade MS67 Reds are rare and can exceed $2,500 at auction. Rising registry demand has pushed prices upward in recent years.
5. 1943 Bronze Planchet Error
World War II copper shortages pushed the mint to strike 1943 pennies on zinc-coated steel. A few copper planchets left behind made it into the presses, creating one of the most legendary U.S. coin errors.
How the Error Happened
In late 1942, the mint collected leftover bronze planchets for recycling. However, some got stuck inside feed tubes or bins and rode along during steel penny production.
Once the coins were struck, their brown tone stood out from the pale gray steel coins. Still, many passed through counting machines unnoticed, finding their way into circulation.
Current Market Value
Even low-grade pieces can sell for over $100,000. A circulated Philadelphia minted coin graded AU55 brought in $329,000 at a recent sale.
Mint State coins can exceed one million dollars when they surface. Only a handful of Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver examples are certified, making each new discovery a major event.
6. 1944 Steel Planchet Error
When copper returned to penny production in 1944, a tiny batch of leftover steel blanks slipped through. Collectors admire these coins for their rarity and connection to wartime production shifts.
How the Error Happened
The mint reused steel planchets for foreign coin contracts and experiments in 1944. A few of these blanks accidentally entered the penny presses.
Since production quickly stabilized, very few steel-dated 1944 cents entered circulation. Most known examples are from Philadelphia, with confirmed pieces from Denver and San Francisco being even rarer.
Current Market Value
XF examples sell for around $75,000. AU and lower Mint State pieces, depending on their visual appeal, range from $125,000 to $250,000.
Top Philadelphia MS64 coins have reached nearly $400,000 at sales. Denver and San Francisco examples also command high premiums due to their extreme rarity.
7. 1972 Doubled Die Obverse
The 1972 Doubled Die Obverse is one of the most dramatic post-1955 doubling varieties, and it remains affordable enough for many collectors to acquire. Three major classifications exist, but “Die 1” displays the boldest spread and commands the highest prices.
Coins entered circulation before the mint caught on, so examples appear in a wide range of grades and colors. Strong doubling can be found on “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” making this error easy to confirm with a basic loupe.
How the Error Happened
In 1972, the Philadelphia Mint used a multi-strike hubbing method similar to the one that caused the 1955 error. One die shifted between impressions and produced thousands of doubled coins before it was replaced.
Collectors noticed the odd lettering soon after release, and magazines spread the word. The error quickly became a primary target for coin roll searchers, rapidly boosting its fame and demand.
Current Market Value
F12 examples trade around $40. AU coins with even red-brown tones earn $150 to $250.
MS65 Reds sell for $1,000 or more, depending on surface spots. The population peaks near MS64, so anything MS66 and higher pulls competitive bids and registry interest.
8. 1995 Doubled Die Obverse
The 1995 Doubled Die Obverse is a gateway variety that inspired countless collectors to begin searching for error coins. Although the spread is lighter than the 1955 classic, the doubling is still clear under magnification.
Millions of 1995 pennies remain in circulation, so the thrill of potential discovery keeps the variety popular. Professional grading revealed several Mint State pieces, offering an affordable supply for new collectors.
How the Error Happened
During hubbing, one working die shifted slightly, producing a gentle doubling on the obverse lettering. Since the mint’s quality checks had improved significantly by the 1990s, the error escaped production in smaller numbers than earlier decades.
Media coverage of this error caused a sharp uptick in roll hunting, and many genuine coins surfaced in bank bags and spare-change jars. The variety remains popular and part of many collections to this day.
Current Market Value
Circulated brown pieces sell for $5 to $10. Red MS63 coins earn $25 to $35, making them budget-friendly starter errors.
Top-graded MS69 Reds are rare and can exceed $400. While values are modest compared with older classics, certified coins perform well among new collectors joining the hunt each year.
9. 1982D Small Date Copper Transitional Error
In 1982 the mint switched from bronze to copper-plated zinc planchets, creating multiple date and metal combinations. One standout is the 1982D Small Date, struck on a copper planchet. This was a composition officially reserved for only early-year Denver coins.
Since weight testing can be used to confirm the type of metal, even circulated pieces can earn healthy prices. Collectors drawn to composition errors admire this piece because it represents a major shift in U.S. coin history.
How the Error Happened
The mint produced both Large Date and Small Date designs in 1982, using bronze initially and zinc later on. Denver struck only Large Date bronze and both Large and Small Date zinc, according to official records.
A batch of bronze blanks that remained at Denver were struck with the Small Date dies, creating a unique pairing. Only a handful of these error coins surfaced, making authentication essential for avoiding counterfeits.
Current Market Value
XF coins start near $2,000. AU and red-brown Mint State examples range from $6,000 to $12,000.
True Red MS65s and higher are almost unheard of, so future discoveries would likely spark record bids. Demand is high among registry builders looking to complete 1982 subtype sets.
10. 1970-S Small Date High 7
The 1970-S Small Date High 7 has a unique design error and is very rare. Its nickname comes from the date’s “7,” which sits higher than the adjacent digits. Spotting the difference requires a trained eye, but once mastered, roll hunters can identify 1970-S pennies quickly. Premiums climb even further when the coin appears on a well-struck, bright-red planchet.
How the Error Happened
San Francisco struck 1970 proof sets and a modest number of circulation pieces. Most had the Large Date design, but a small batch of Small Date dies entered production as well.
Since the total output was already low, finding Small Dates became a challenge even during their release year. Recovered rolls have since been picked over, increasing the rarity of this piece.
Current Market Value
VF coins trade around $75. Red-brown AU pieces earn $200 to $300. Red MS65 examples sell for $1,000 to $1,500, with MS66 and MS67 Reds jumping to $3,000 and beyond. The sharp increase in price reflects the limited supply of top grades and high collector demand.
Expand Your Coin Collection With AHG
Error pennies remind us that even the most controlled processes can have messy outcomes. At American Hartford Gold, we help clients source and acquire coins that align with their personal preferences and goals.
Whether you’re looking for a unique piece or eligible gold to roll into your Gold IRA in preparation for retirement, we’re ready to assist. We help clients expand their collections or portfolios so they can build a more secure future.
FAQs
Do all doubled dies have obvious spread?
No. Some show strong doubling, while others are more subtle. Study known examples for each date to spot the variations.
Is it worth searching bank rolls for modern errors?
Yes. Varieties like the 1992 Close AM still remain hidden in circulation. The cost is low, and many collectors enjoy the thrill of the hunt.
Should I clean an error penny to show its details better?
No. Cleaning scratches metal or removes it altogether, lowering both a coin’s grade and value. Present the coin as-found when submitting for professional review.
Sources:
Philadelphia Mint | U.S. Department of the Treasury
