Expert: PAPAJACK - 10/6/2008

Question
What is a 1961 DDO ms65 worth?  I found one on e-bay, and they say they have never seen one in the coin books.  Is it worth more than $16.00?

Answer
Hello Gloria,         

Is the coin professionally graded? If so Is it written in the plastic holder?

There were only 2 double dies reported in for the 1961 Cent listed with a designation of   MD-1-O-II-C.
Cataloged by the Combined Numismatic Error Coin Collectors of America as UVC-1990      DMR-001  MS and can be found at this site
http://www.conecaonline.org/content/lincolndoubleddies19611963.html .

Could this be the coin you are looking at?
The description says “Light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and date “
The specimen found was also a higher grade MS63. And there were no other die markers listed for the coin.
There is a note that the defect may not be visible on worn examples since the strength of doubling will vary depending upon hub and die state.

Although I cannot see your coin in person and I cannot be sure. It sounds more like a broken die problem than a doubling of the date only.
Is there a larger raised area (lump) in the top curve of the digit 6?  
About one quarter of the way down and leading to the very point in the top of the 6.
Looking like the die had a chip in the portion of the digit that is reworked leaving a tail extending from the pointed top on the 6.

Broken-Die errors although interesting do not command as high a premium as a Hub-Doubled Error.
But as a variety in a very high grade I can see someone paying 16 dollars for it. These values always depend on what a buyer is willing to pay for the coin not what it may truly be worth on the market.

I hope this information helps,

PapaJack