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Double Die Penny: Which Cents Have Doubled Dies

5 min read · Updated Oct 9, 2026

In short

  • A double die penny is a cent struck from a die whose design was doubled while the die was made, so every coin from that die shows the doubling.
  • Real doubled dies have rounded outlines with a visible split. Flat, shelf-like doubling from the strike is easy to mistake for the real thing and generally adds no value.
  • The list below has 15 doubled-die and doubled-ear varieties from our catalogue, dated 1873 to 2009. Each value is an estimate, not an offer.

What is a double die penny?

A doubled die starts in the die itself. The Mint used a hub, a tool that carries the raised design, and pressed it into a blank die to copy the design. If the hub shifted between impressions, the die carried two slightly offset copies of the design.

Before 1997, Mint dies often needed three or four hubbings, so a misaligned impression was more likely. After 1996, the Mint used a single-squeeze method, but dies can still rotate slightly, so doubling still happens.

Every coin struck from that die carries the same doubling. That is why collectors treat a doubled die as a variety rather than a one-off.

Real doubling vs. machine doubling

On a genuine doubled die, the outlines are rounded and clearly separated, and the serifs (the small ends on letters) look split too. The doubling sits in the same place on every coin from that die.

Machine doubling happens when the die bounces or shifts as it strikes the coin. It looks flat and shelf-like, with no split between the outlines, and it changes from coin to coin. NGC's article calls it a striking error rather than a variety, and says it does not usually add value.

Watch outFakes are a real risk for the best-known doubled dies. Our catalogue rates the 1955 and 1969-S varieties as very high counterfeit risk, and the 1972 as high. Have a possible one authenticated by PCGS or NGC before you buy or sell.

For other mint errors and what they are worth, see the penny errors list.

Which pennies have a doubled die?

Here is the doubled die penny list, by year, with the catalogue's G4 estimate where one exists. Lincoln Cent Resource says its own list covers only a handful of the hundreds of Lincoln doubled dies that exist, so treat this as a starting point. It also lists 1984 and 1997 among its doubled-die obverses.

Double die penny value

The G4 figures above are catalogue estimates for a worn coin. They are not offers, and a real price depends on condition and authentication.

The ANA's 2006 Numismatist article calls the 1995 doubled LIBERTY relatively inexpensive. It describes the 1983, 1972 and especially the 1969-S doubled dies as scarce. For error values, see the penny errors list.

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Coins in this guide

Related guides

Sources

  1. NGC, “Double Dies vs. Machine Doubling” (accessed 2026-10-09)
  2. Wikipedia, “Doubled die” (accessed 2026-10-09)
  3. Lincoln Cent Resource, “Doubled Dies” (accessed 2026-10-09)
  4. Lincoln Cent Resource, “2009 Formative Years Doubled Die Reverse” (accessed 2026-10-09)
  5. ANA, “The Lincoln Memorial Cent (The Numismatist, September 2006)” (accessed 2026-10-09)
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