Expert: Ronald Fern - 11/23/2009

Question
What's the story behind the misprinted Lincoln Penny?   
eg.   Two Thumbs Up

Please describe for me.  Thank you

Answer
Hi Bill:

I'm aware of the reverse doubled die found on the 2009 "Rail Splitter" (Formative Years) cents, the second in the series of four different reverses celebrating Lincoln's 200th Birthday and 100th Anniversary of the Lincoln cent. Actually, to date, over (70) different 2009 plain, (7) "D" mintmark, and (2)proof "S" mintmark reverse doubled dies have been identified.

Almost all are class VIII doubled dies, Tilted Hub Doubling. Tilted Hub Doubling is restricted to a small area of design within the center region of the die. It is possible due to the result of either of two related scenarios, according to Ken Potter. See Link for entire "Numismatic News" article. http://www.numismaticnews.net/article/cents_doubled/

1) The hub is backed off after the initial kiss of the hub into a tilted die blank and is then reset properly and hubbed again.

2) The hub and die blank are tilted in relation to each other and are then forced to seat into proper position by hubbing pressure within a split second after the initial kiss of the hub into the tip of the die blank.You can go to this link for more detailed information on the classes and identification.

These are well documented with photos and descriptions at the following link: http://varietyvista.com/

Some are relatively minor, and others are quite strong and apparent. There is a "skeleton finger", and several with double thumbs and fingers. The value on all of them it yet to be fully determined, but the common ones seem to sell for around $1 each and the major ones for $20 to $40 depending on the specific doubled die and the coin grade.

You may want to check eBay listings in the error category under US coins from time to time to see if coins like yours are listed and what they are going for. You may also want to check out these links on error coin values:
http://www.coinsite.com/html/USErrorPrices.asp
http://www.minterrornews.com/priceguide.html

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.