The 1950s produced several Lincoln Wheat pennies with unique minting errors, making them highly sought after by collectors. These anomalies can significantly increase a penny’s value, transforming a common coin into a valuable treasure. Below, we explore nine notable error pennies from the 1950s, detailing their characteristics and potential worth.
1. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Penny
One of the most famous error coins, the 1955 Doubled Die Obverse penny, features a pronounced doubling of the date and inscriptions on the obverse side. This error occurred due to a misalignment during the hubbing process. In circulated conditions, these pennies can fetch between $1,000 and $1,500, while uncirculated examples may exceed $15,000.
2. 1956 D Over D (D/D) Mint Mark Penny
This error involves a repunched mint mark, where the “D” mint mark from the Denver Mint was stamped more than once, slightly offset. Such coins are valued between $3 and $50, depending on their condition.
3. 1957 Doubled Die Reverse Penny
The 1957 Doubled Die Reverse penny exhibits noticeable doubling on the reverse inscriptions, particularly “ONE CENT” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” These coins are relatively scarce, with values ranging from $50 to $1,000 based on condition.
4. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Penny
Extremely rare, the 1958 Doubled Die Obverse penny shows significant doubling of the obverse inscriptions. Only a few examples are known to exist, with auction prices reaching up to $200,000.
5. 1959-D Lincoln Memorial Penny with Wheat Reverse
In 1959, the reverse design of the penny transitioned from the Wheat ears to the Lincoln Memorial. However, a few 1959-D pennies were mistakenly struck with the Wheat reverse. These error coins are exceedingly rare and can be worth over $50,000.
6. 1950 Off-Center Strike Penny
Off-center strikes occur when a coin is not properly aligned during minting, resulting in a portion of the design being missing. The value depends on the degree of the off-center strike and the coin’s condition, typically ranging from $5 to $100.
7. 1954-S S Over D (S/D) Mint Mark Penny
This error features an “S” mint mark from the San Francisco Mint over a “D” mint mark from the Denver Mint, indicating a repunched mint mark error. Such coins are valued between $50 and $100, depending on their condition.
8. 1953-D BIE Penny
The BIE error is characterized by a small die break between the “B” and “E” in “LIBERTY,” resembling the letter “I.” These minor errors are popular among collectors, with values ranging from $5 to $15.
9. 1951-S RPM (Repunched Mint Mark) Penny
Repunched mint marks occur when the mint mark is stamped more than once in different positions. The 1951-S RPM penny shows such an error and can be worth between $5 and $25, based on its condition.
Summary of 1950s Error Pennies
| Year | Error Type | Description | Estimated Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Doubled Die Obverse | Doubling of date and inscriptions on obverse | $1,000 – $15,000+ |
| 1956 | D Over D (D/D) Mint Mark | Repunched “D” mint mark | $3 – $50 |
| 1957 | Doubled Die Reverse | Doubling on reverse inscriptions | $50 – $1,000 |
| 1958 | Doubled Die Obverse | Significant doubling on obverse inscriptions | Up to $200,000 |
| 1959 | D Lincoln Memorial with Wheat Reverse | Wheat reverse on Lincoln Memorial obverse | Over $50,000 |
| 1950 | Off-Center Strike | Misaligned strike causing partial design | $5 – $100 |
| 1954 | S Over D (S/D) Mint Mark | “S” over “D” mint mark | $50 – $100 |
| 1953 | D BIE Error | Die break between “B” and “E” in “LIBERTY” | $5 – $15 |
| 1951 | S Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) | Multiple impressions of “S” mint mark | $5 – $25 |
Conclusion
Collecting error pennies from the 1950s can be a rewarding endeavor, both financially and historically. These unique coins offer a glimpse into the minting process and the occasional anomalies that occur. If you come across any of these error pennies, it’s advisable to have them authenticated by a professional coin grading service to determine their true value.
FAQs
What makes an error penny valuable?
The value of an error penny is determined by the rarity and visibility of the error, the coin’s condition, and demand among collectors. Significant errors that are easily noticeable and scarce tend to be more valuable.
How can I identify a doubled die penny?
A doubled die penny will show clear doubling of design elements, such as letters or numbers, due to a misalignment during the die creation process. Using a magnifying glass can help in identifying these features.
Are all off-center strike pennies valuable?
The value of an off-center strike penny depends on the degree of the off-center strike and the coin’s condition. Generally, the more off-center the strike (while still showing a complete date), the more valuable it is.
What is a repunched mint mark?
A repunched mint mark occurs when a mint mark is stamped multiple times in slightly different locations. This usually happens when the mint employee manually repositions the punch, creating a doubled or overlapping effect.
Where can I sell my rare error pennies?
Rare error pennies can be sold through coin dealers, at auctions, or on online marketplaces like eBay. To get the best price, consider having the coin graded by a reputable grading service before selling.
