1973 Penny Errors, Varieties, and Values
1973 penny errors and varieties exist! First, note a 1973 d penny is worth at least twice the face value due to their copper content.
For instance, 1973 pennies are 95% copper. A coin scale will help you find coins on the wrong planchet. They too are scarce and therefore extremely valuable pennies.
1973 Penny Value
1973 Lincoln Cent Value
Moreover, a 1973 Lincoln penny in pristine condition increased in value over time.
For example, an uncirculated 1973 cent graded 67+ RD, sold at auction for $3,850.00.
Furthermore, a 1973 D Penny graded MS67RD, sold at auction for $4,994.00.
Any rare American pennies with the lowest population of the highest grades is how profit is made in the coin industry.
A coin in flawless condition drastically increases its value. However, a die variety generates even more profit. Doubled dies are highly collectible coins.
Additionally, a 1973 Mint Set is selling between ten and twenty dollars on Amazon. Furthermore, check out the auctions on eBay.
Searching original unwrapped 1973 penny rolls is a great way to find coins that increase the chances of getting the highest grade, whether they have errors or not.
Any error and variety pennies found in the roll will drastically increase your profit times the cost of the roll.
Finding a variety or mint error increases the 1973 penny value and makes the treasure hunt more fun to do.
For instance, a teenager with a keen eye once found a cent worth a million dollars in their lunch money! It was a rarity that sold at auction.
1973 Doubled Die Varieties
Furthermore, 1973 penny errors and doubled die varieties exist!
For instance, listings with photos are available at doubleddie.com. Additionally, there are more listings of examples with photos to compare at coppercoins.com, and varietyvista.com.
Additionally, tune into and listen to Charles Daughtrey, author of Looking Through Lincoln Cents, as he searches through 1973 D pennies from an original bankroll. Feel free to subscribe and join in any auctions for the opportunity to get rare doubled die variety pennies for a reduced price.
Subscribe to Chuck Daughtrey, also known as Coppercoins, on Youtube, where you can register to bid for coins, and then tune in to his channel for live auctions and more mint roll reveals. You can also keep up with current listings of coins for sale by visiting Coppercoins ebay store.
1973 Pennies a Short Run Series
1973 pennies were a short run series and therefore collectible and pricey. The one year type design for 1973 has large initials on the reverse, and makes it even rarer than other strikes.
A transitional error for this year with a reverse of 1972 or 1974 hasn’t been discovered yet, but that’s what experienced numismatist Chuck Daughtrey says to be on the lookout for. 1973 Cents are famous for displaying a repunched mint mark or RPM.
| Error Type | Description | Estimated Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) | Visible doubling on "LIBERTY" or the date. | $20 - $150+ |
| Off-Center Strike | Design is shifted; percentage of off-center affects value. | $10 - $200+ |
| Cud (Die Break) | Raised metal blob on the rim/edge caused by a broken die. | $5 - $50 |
| Die Cap | Penny struck by a die that had a previous coin stuck to it. | $100 - $500+ |
| Struck on Wrong Planchet | Struck on a dime or foreign planchet. | $300 - $1,000+ |
Looking for more? Check out the Rare Penny Errors Master List for a complete list of other year penny error guides featured on this site.
Are you a Lincoln cent collector? Check out a 2014 Lincoln shield cent with a die clash mint error next. Happy hunting! This website is a partnered associate and contains affiliate links, which enable me to earn commissions from various partners. Full disclosure is available here. Partners include ebay, Amazon, Google Adsense, and others.