1983 Penny Errors, Varieties, and Values

rare pennies list 1983

1983 Lincoln Cent Die Clash Error and More Errors, Varieties, and Values

1983 Lincoln cent errors and varieties exist and are worth more than their face value. For instance, 1983 penny errors such as die clash error pennies have asking prices starting around $5 and up in raw condition on Ebay.

1983 penny errors

Additionally , a 1983 one cent coin in raw condition refers to an ungraded or unencapsulated coin.  Moreover, values vary and depend on the eye appeal of the coin, not necessarily its holder.  However, the holder makes it possible to cosign with  auction companies.

Furthermore, note the die markings on a 1983 Lincoln cent displaying a die clash error, rim cuds, and a reverse die cracks.   Additionally, these uncirculated 1983 pennies were all discovered in an original wrapped bank roll purchased from lincolncent.com.  

error coins

1983 Penny Value

Furthermore, cent coins don’t require being of any varieties or have any errors in order to be more valuable.  In other words, a Lincoln penny in pristine condition is worth much more than one cent.  For instance, a 1983 Lincoln Memorial Cent graded MS68, sold for $1840.00.

Additionally, only two 1983 Lincoln cents in population are graded MS68+.   Moreover, they’re valued at $5000.00 each.  A 1983 D Lincoln Cent graded MS68, sold for $1380.00.   These are rare us penny coins worth money!

reverse die clash penny

1983 Lincoln Cent Doubled Dies

A 1983 doubled die variety penny with the highest grade instantly makes it very valuable.  For instance, an uncirculated 1983 1C Doubled Die Reverse Lincoln cent graded MS68RD, sold for $7050.00.  Being a doubled die variety coin implies a lower population, and in pristine condition it’s even rarer.  Appeal impacts value.

Moreover, eye appeal increases value.  For instance, a 1983 1C Doubled Die Reverse Lincoln Cent graded MS64BN, sold for $495.00.  Note the doubling spotted easily with the naked eye.  At first the letters look blurry from a distance, like blurred vision, but it’s actually doubling of the coin.

1983 penny error
Arrow notes a die clash marking on the reverse of a 1983 penny

However, the doubling is more evident when looked at with a 10X loupe or placed under a USB coin microscope. Graded specimens have asking prices of hundreds of dollars on Ebay. Furthermore, A 1983 Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Obverse graded MS65RD, sold for $440.00.

valuable american pennies
How to Find Rare 1983 Pennies

The best ways to find a rare and valuable penny worth money is to invest in uncirculated original wrapped pennies by the rolls, and search through them.   They’re found in pocket change just as well.   

Another option is to purchase 1983 mint sets and then examine all the coins in it.  Don’t break it out of the original mint set unless you think it’s absolutely worth doing so.  Send the whole set off to be graded by reputable grading companies, namely NGC or ANACS.

1983 penny value lincoln cent
Arrow notes a struck-through error on a 1983 memorial penny
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I myself obtained these unique specimen coins by bidding on and then examining a single roll of uncirculated 1983 Lincoln Cents, obtained by participating in Coppercoins Auctions.

Additionally, that roll of pennies produced more than one clashed die error coin.  Moreover, a few 1983 struck through debris displayed in the nine of the date on two of them, as well as several strong die cracks, all shown in the images below.  Keep scrolling to see.

1983 Lincoln Cent Struck-through Error

1983 Lincoln cent struck through errors are worth around five dollars and up according to the ebay sold listings. The better the condition of the coin, the more its potential worth. 

1983 penny small 8
1983 Lincoln Cent Plating Blisters

Furthermore, plating blisters, or gas bubbles, are common occurrences on 1983 pennies.  In other words, they’re “particles caught in between the copper plating and the zinc core of an improperly washed zinc planchets react. 

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Zinc Coin Issues

Moreover, it causes both the copper plating to bubble up and the zinc core to corrode. While it is technically an error made during the coin production process, it’s not considered as valuable.” – coinworld.com

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However, people still collect pennies with plating issues, including those with plating gas bubbles, but average asking price is a dollar or less. Moreover “a cause of zinc rot is the presence of a small perforation or tear in the copper plating.

This allows oxygen and reactive compounds to reach the zinc core.  If the bubbles pop, the coin develops zinc rot.”   – error-ref.com In other words, cuds and die crack zinc cents are less likely to rot compared to those with plating bubbles or blisters.

rare american pennies
Arrows note a rim cud on a 1983 penny
Weigh 1983 Pennies to Discover Wrong Planchet Errors

Wrong planchet error coins make 1983 pennies worth a lot of money. Furthermore, a small scale is all you need to know, as a 1983 copper penny weighs 3.1 grams.  

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Anything more or less could be a wrong planchet error coin.  Zinc coins only weigh 2.6 grams.  Unplated coins may weigh less than that.  For instance, check out an examination of a 2019 planchet coin plating error penny

speared lincoln cent penny
Impaled Lincoln 1983 Cent
1983 Lincoln Cent Famous Die Crack Varieties

Furthermore, this original bank wrapped roll of uncirculated 1983 Lincoln cents provided specimens with rim cuds, die clashes, die chips, and several large die cracks, all from a single roll of pennies!

Die cracks made many variety coins very famous and therefore very valuable.  For instance, observe the spitting horse state quarter shown in this article.   Moreover, spiked head coins came about from die cracks.  The penny above is a rare Impaled Lincoln 1983 cent. 

1983 error pennies list
Arrows notes a "Hanging Rope" die crack penny

What would you call these 1983 pennies with large die cracks, if given the chance to provide a unique name for them?    The Lincoln cent above resembles a hanging rope and the one below a tightrope.  Or maybe they’re both lighting striking the Memorial Building?  To each their own.

rim cud error coin
1983 Lincoln Cent Coin Collecting Tips

The 1983 penny is renowned for its numerous error variations. Moreover, 1983 marked the transition from copper to copper-plated zinc composition, leading to a variety of striking errors. 

For instance, some 1983 pennies were struck on copper planchets instead of the intended copper-plated zinc. These are highly valuable due to their rarity.  Remember, they weigh more than a zinc cent.  Happy hunting!

bie error coin
Arrow notes an early state BIE variety (pre-die break)

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