The 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Penny is not just a rare and valuable error coin—it’s also one of the few coins in history to land on America’s Most Wanted list! But not because it was highly desirable. Instead, this incredible coin was caught up in a massive counterfeiting scandal that led the Secret Service to mistakenly destroy real examples of this rare penny.
With fewer than 40 verified examples today, this coin is one of the rarest and most valuable Lincoln cents ever. In fact, a high-grade specimen sold for $126,500 at auction!
Could one be hiding in your collection? In this guide, we’ll dive into:
✅ The shocking history of the 1969-S Doubled Die scandal
✅ How to tell if you have a real one
✅ Current market value
✅ Where to sell one for top dollar
🚀 Join the Rich Off Error Coins Free Membership to get insider tips on rare coins, access to a collector community, and exclusive savings & freebies coming soon for paid members! Sign up now.
🕵️♂️ The Counterfeiting Scandal That Nearly Erased This Coin from History
The story of the 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Penny is straight out of a crime novel.
The Fakes That Led to a Government Crackdown
In 1969, two counterfeiters—Roy Gray and Morton Goodman—began producing fake 1969 Doubled Die Lincoln cents, along with other counterfeit coins. They used an Agietron electrical discharge machine to make fake dies and even managed to sell 2,900 of these counterfeits for $92,000!
But their scheme didn’t last long. When the Secret Service raided Gray’s home, they found:
- Rolled sheets of silver for making fake planchets
- Planchet punches for nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollars
- A modified dime collar with 120 serrations instead of 118 (used to prove their 1941 counterfeit dimes were fake)
Gray and Goodman were caught, but the real disaster was about to unfold.
Secret Service Mistake: Real Coins Destroyed!
As the Secret Service tracked down the fake 1969 doubled die pennies, they stumbled upon real examples—the 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse pennies. Because of the ongoing counterfeit investigation, authorities assumed these were fakes and ordered many of them destroyed!
This government blunder made an already rare coin even rarer.
The Discovery of the First Real 1969-S DDO Pennies
In July 1970, collectors Cecil Moorhouse and Bill Hudson discovered the first confirmed real examples of the 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse penny. But with the Secret Service actively hunting counterfeits, these coins were nearly lost to history.
Today, fewer than 40 examples are known to exist, making this one of the rarest and most valuable Lincoln cents ever.
🔎 How to Identify a Genuine 1969-S Doubled Die Penny
With so many fakes and machine-doubled coins out there, knowing how to spot a real 1969-S DDO penny is crucial.
✅ Key Features of the 1969-S Doubled Die Penny
- Bold doubling on:
- “LIBERTY”
- “IN GOD WE TRUST”
- The date “1969”
- San Francisco mintmark (S) below the date
- Mintmark NOT doubled (mintmarks were added separately at the time)
- Strong southeast direction doubling
🔥 Pro Tip: A real doubled die penny has a distinct, clear doubling—not the flat, shelf-like effect of machine doubling.
❌ How to Spot a Fake or Machine-Doubled Coin
- Machine Doubling: Happens when the dies bounce during striking, creating a shallow, flat effect. No added value.
- Fake Altered Coins: Some scammers add an “S” mintmark to regular 1969 pennies.
- Counterfeit Replicas: Many poor-quality fakes exist—always get authentication from PCGS or NGC.
💰 How Much is the 1969-S Doubled Die Penny Worth?
Since so few exist, this coin commands massive prices at auction.
| Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (VF–XF) | $25,000 – $50,000 |
| AU (Almost Uncirculated) | $75,000 – $100,000 |
| MS63 (Mint State) | $125,000 – $150,000 |
| MS65+ (Top Grade) | $200,000+ |
📈 Record Sales
- $126,500 – 2008 (MS64 Red, PCGS)
- $86,250 – 2009 (MS63 Red, Heritage Auctions)
💡 Did you know? In 1995, an unemployed woman found a 1969-S DDO penny in her change and sold it for $6,000 after multiple resales!
🏆 Where to Sell a 1969-S Doubled Die Penny for Top Dollar
If you have a genuine 1969-S DDO penny, you’re sitting on a small fortune! Here’s where to sell it:
🔹 PCGS / NGC Grading: Get it certified to ensure maximum value
🔹 Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers: Best for top-dollar sales
🔹 eBay & Coin Forums: Direct sales, but beware of scammers
🔹 Trusted Coin Dealers: Faster but may offer lower prices
📢 Join Rich Off Error Coins’ Free Membership for trusted dealer recommendations, auction alerts, and rare coin market insights! Sign up now.
🔥 Don’t Miss Out on More Rare Coin Finds!
The 1969-S Doubled Die Penny is just one of many valuable coins still waiting to be discovered. If you want expert insights, exclusive error coin alerts, and future members-only perks, now’s the time to join the Rich Off Error Coins community!
🚀 Join the Free Membership Today! Get:
✔ Exclusive error coin guides
✔ A collector community & expert advice
✔ First access to huge savings, freebies, and upcoming paid membership perks!
🔗 Sign up now and start turning pocket change into profit!
You must be logged in to post a comment.