1909 Penny Errors and Varieties

1909 penny errors

1909 Penny Errors, Varieties, and Values

1909 penny vdb

1909 penny is a sought after wheat cent known for rare and valuable errors and varieties. 

Furthermore, the value of a 1909 pennies vary, but some have prices as high as that of a small house!  Keep reading to learn why. 

For instance, key date coins are of the rarest most valuable coins. 

Moreover, both mints struck coins with the initials, and without the initials. – Heritage Auctions

1909 wheat penny errors to hunt for

Design Controversy

Additionally, the 1909 S version was the first year of the Lincoln coin.

Almost immediately upon release the public made complaints about Brenner’s initials (V.D.B.) on the back of the Lincoln cent, because the initials are located under the wheat stalks.

After the location of the V.D.B. initials attracted public scrutiny, the U.S. Mint responded to the criticism by removing the initials entirely. 

Thus the result that some 1909 Lincoln cents bear the V.D.B. initials, and others do not.- the-sun.com

Collectible 1909 Pennies

Additionally, instead of placing the initials elsewhere with new dies, mint employees simply removed them entirely from die. 

This produced a new variety of 1909 cents without the V.D.B.  These 1909 penny errors are worth hunting for!

1909 penny value

Furthermore, as new dies were being prepared, the designer’s initials on the old dies were removed by crude tooling.

1909 pennies struck by these altered dies are highly sought-after. – error-ref.com

1909 V.D.B. Struck Through Reverse Error

The 1909 cent is extremely valuable not only because of the fame garnered from the controversy surrounding them, but also the low mintage brought on by the controversy.

Furthermore, only 484,000 1909-S pennies were produced. 

However, though that’s a rare variety, it’s not all that makes these Lincoln pennies so valuable.

1909 Penny Value

Additionally, 1909 pennies sell on eBay in circulated condition at five dollars and up. 

Moreover, values vary, depending on the condition of the coin, mintage, and error or variety.   

Furthermore, the more unique the coin, the lesser the population, and the higher the grade, then the more valuable the coin is. 

For instance, a 1909 VDB cent graded MS62 BN, (brown,) sold at auction for $4,830.00.  

A 1909 VDB penny graded MS68RD, sold at auction for $56,400.00!

valuable wheat pennies

Furthermore, there are only four 1909 VDB Lincoln cents without errors, but with a high mint state grade of MS68. 

The PCGS price guide value is an estimated $57,000 per coin!  

A 1909 1C Lincoln, graded PR68RD (Proof), sold at auction for $59,800.00.   

1909 Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Varieties

The value of the 1909 penny depends not only on the condition of the coin but whether it has a unique error or other anomaly, such as the 1909 doubled die varieties.

The 1909 S minted pennies with the initials have the lowest mintage, but pennies of this date can still be extremely rare and valuable regardless of mintage.

Valuable Doubled Dies

Furthermore, this 1909 penny displays moderate to extra thickness showing on the date and Liberty. 

I compared images to listings available via coppercoins.com first. 

Moreover, doubled die listings to compare images to are available via varietyvista.com. 

Wexler listed 1909 doubled die varieties with images via doubleddie.com

Furthermore, Check out the Rare Penny Errors for a complete list of penny error guides featured on this site.

1909 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent Value

The auction prices of graded and authenticated 1909 doubled die varieties make for an impressive conversation to start with anyone who likes to talk about money.

 For instance, a 1909 VDB Lincoln cent DDO FS-1102 graded MS67RD, sold at auction for $24,150.

Furthermore, a1909 VDB 1C Doubled Die Obverse graded MS67RD, sold at auction for $23,000 in 2009. 

The 1909 VDB 1C DDO FS-1102, graded MS64RB (Red Brown,) once for $1,560.00.  

  The opportunities are endless Looking Through Lincoln Cents

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2003 Penny Errors and Varieties

2003 penny errors with pictures

2003 Penny Errors, Varieties, and Values

2003 penny errors and varieties and exist!  For instance, doubling displays on the central left side of the 7th column on the reverse. 

Observe the arrow noting the doubling to the right of the statue in the image below.

2003 penny value

Additionally, finding uncirculated 2003 Lincoln cent doubled die varieties isn’t as simple as looking at pocket change. 

It’s not impossible to find one that way, but the chances are slim.  However, this 2003 Lincoln cent doubled die reverse variety was obtained from an original bank wrapped roll.  

These anomalies make 2003 pennies worth money.

Coin Roll Hunting High Grade Coins

Furthermore, keeping a loupe on hand will help you find 2003 penny errors that will sell for a few dollars above face value.  

Moreover, the best chance of finding 2003 penny errors and varieties is by examining uncirculated original wrapped bank rolls. 

Additionally, examining 2003 mint sets ensures a mint state grade coin specimen.

The die markers match the 2003 1¢ WDDR-027 listed via doubleddie.com. Additionally, images to compare to are available via varietyvista.com.  More listings are available at coppercoins.com.

2003 Penny Value

Values vary of 2003 penny doubled die varieties.  This is because condition impacts eye appeal. 

However, 2003 pennies don’t have to have an error or be a variety in order to be valuable.

most valuable coins pennies

For instance, a 2003 Lincoln cent graded MS69 RD, sold for $175.00 in 2021. 

Furthermore, a 2003 D Lincoln cent graded MS69 RD, sold for $595.00 in 2019. 

Those coins didn’t have errors and they aren’t varieties.  They’re valuable because of flawless condition.

One Cent Pennies Worth Money

Lincoln memorial pennies have a lot to offer when it comes to doubled die varieties. 

However, the newer shield cents are just as worthy of examining closely.  For instance, a 2021 shield penny with a doubled ear lobe.

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.

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.

2021 Penny Errors Worth Money

2021 Penny Errors, Varieties, and Values

2021 Penny Error with doubling under Lincoln's ear lobe.

2021 penny errors and varieties in mint state condition are excellent coin specimens for collecting. Are you looking for all forms of a double ear coin for your collection? You’ll need a scale to check for planchet error coins.

Value is impacted by the condition of the coin, the type of error or variety it is, along with its graded population.  In 2025 the USA stopped making pennies, so make sure to locate some of these for your coin collection.

You’ll need a Digital Coin Microscope to find the doubling on any rare coins.   Plus, expert dealers know that a single fingerprint can ruin a Red (RD) status.

2021-D Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Obverse doubling under ear lobe comparison.

I suggest using 2×2 Coin Flips the moment an error is found.  Use the a Digital Scale to verify the standard 2.5g weight for the 2021 zinc cent.  If it weighs more it could it could be a wrong planchet error.

Lincoln Cent Doubled Dies

For instance, observe a 2021 Lincoln cent doubled die obverse variety coin compared to a normal 2021 penny in the image.  Note the doubling under Lincoln’s ear lobe at the end of each arrow.  This rare coin variety gained its fame for all the double ear penny years.

It’s how I found these valuable coins and sold them all!  Additionally, examining 2021 mint sets ensures a mint state grade proof specimen.  These sell by themselves in plain cardboard or plastic coin flips.

Rare coins remain ever in high demand and are even more valuable in pristine condition.  Are you searching for penny errors and varieties in uncirculated 2021 Lincoln cent rolls? If not, do so!

Shield Cent Doubled Dies Vs Contact Marks

Does your 2021 shield cent look like it has an extra ear?  How do you discern the difference?  Is it a genuine die variety or a contact mark?  First, if it took a hit, then that area on the penny coin will appear flattened or dented. 

Click to display the embedded YouTube video

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Second, when a penny is doubled, like the doubled die obverse with doubling under Lincoln’s ear is, then the area will display raised like a bubble letters instead of a flat shelf-like appearance.

Coin Roll Hunting Pennies

Submitting a coin for grading doesn’t always equal a large profit.  The cost of grading coins isn’t an option for everyone. However, when coins turn out to be highly sought after error or doubled die variety, then clear images is all that’s necessary to list them for sale online.

macro image of a 2021 d lincoln cent with an arrow noting the doubling under Lincoln's ear lobe.
Coin Value Chart
Grade (RD)2021 (P) Value2021-D ValueKey Error Value
MS63 (Raw)Face ValueFace Value$2 - $5
MS65$7 - $10$10 - $12$15+
MS67$73.00$125.00$50 - $100
MS68+$600+ (Rare)$3,300 (Record)Varies

2021 Penny Value

For instance, a 2021-D 1C Shield cent graded MS66, sold at auction for $75.00.  It’s the grade that made it more valuable, even without being an error or variety.  Furthermore, a 2021 P Lincoln Shield cent graded MS67RD, sold for $73.

However, the coins had to be in pristine condition in order for these pennies to be worth money.  2021 Lincoln cent errors and varieties don’t have to be pristine to be valuable because they’re rare variety coins, and more scarce than its counterparts. 

Valuable Mint State Grade Pennies

According to the recent sold listings on ebay, 2021 doubled die varieties sell for $5 and up in raw condition. If you’ve found one yourself, you can choose to send it off for grading and then to auction, keep it in your own collection, or list it for sale as ungraded on ebay.com Observe and learn from the examples shown in the recently sold listings.  It’s your choice. 

Coin Guides and References

Collectible Coin Books

Lincolncent.com is owned by famed numismatist Charles Daughtrey, author of the collectible coin book, Looking Through Lincoln Cents.  Furthermore, he and his team host Coppercoins Auctions Channel. Subscribe to his channel for opportunities to bid for rare coins and chances to win neat prizes! That book itself is a collectible item.  Bookmark this Cherry Picker’s guide list also.

Looking for more free error coin guides? Check out the Rare Penny Errors Master List for a complete list of other year penny error guides featured on this site.

Finally, 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. Thank you for contributing your time, have fun hunting!