1980 Doubled Die Penny
1980 Doubled Die Penny: Discovering a Hidden Treasure in Your Pocket Change
Ever wondered if that penny in your pocket might be worth more than just one cent? Well, it might be if it’s a 1980 Doubled Die Penny! This intriguing error coin has sparked the curiosity of many and could be your gateway into the fascinating world of coin collecting. Let’s dive into what makes this penny special and why you might want to start looking a little closer at your change.
What’s a Doubled Die Penny Anyway?
Imagine you’re at a carnival, and you try the classic game where you hit a hammer on a platform to ring a bell. Now, picture doing it twice, but the second hit is just a bit off from the first one. That’s kind of what happens with a doubled die penny. When the coin’s design is stamped twice, slightly misaligned, it creates a cool doubling effect. It’s not supposed to happen, and that’s what makes these pennies special and collectible.
Learn more about doubled die errors here at Rich Off Error Coins!
The 1980 Doubled Die Penny: What’s the Big Deal?
The 1980 doubled die penny is like finding a rare misprinted book or a unique stamp – it’s a little mistake that turned into a big treasure for collectors. These pennies came out of the Philadelphia Mint with an interesting flaw. Here’s what to look for:
Spotting the Doubling
- Date Doubling: Check out the “1980” on the coin. If the numbers look like they’ve been stamped twice, bingo! You might have a doubled die penny.
- Letter Doubling: Look at the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” If the letters look doubled or blurry, you’ve got something special.
No Mintmark? No Problem!
These pennies don’t have a mintmark, which means they were made in Philadelphia. So, if your 1980 penny is missing a mintmark and shows doubling, you might be in luck!
Why Should You Care?
You might be thinking, “Okay, so my penny is a little weird. Why should I care?” Well, these pennies can be worth a lot more than their face value. Even a circulated (used) one could be worth $20 to $100, and if you find one in great condition, it could be worth even more!
Where Can You Find One?
Now that you’re interested, where do you start looking for a 1980 doubled die penny? Here are a few ideas:
- Your Change: Start by checking your spare change. You never know what might be hiding in that jar of pennies!
- Coin Dealers: Visit local coin shops. Dealers often have error coins and can help you learn more.
- Online Auctions: Websites like eBay and auction sites often have these coins for sale. Make sure to buy from reputable sellers.
- Coin Shows: Check out coin shows in your area. It’s a great way to see a variety of coins and talk to experts.
What to Look for…
Slide the arrows on the picture from left to right to see the difference in the two images…
Look at the lines in the coin as you switch from one image to another. This is the doubling on the coin. You can see a 9 on top of another 9 and 8 on top of another 8… and so on….
The same with the word LIBERTY
You can easily see how there are two letters like here with the L on top of the other L and so on…
This is what a doubled die will look like! They will always be exactly the same since the same die was used to stamp each of these coins!
Getting Into Coin Collecting
Finding a 1980 doubled die penny could be the perfect start to a fun and rewarding hobby. Coin collecting, or numismatics, is like a treasure hunt. You get to learn about history, enjoy the thrill of the hunt, and maybe even find a valuable coin or two along the way.
So, next time you have some spare change, take a closer look. Who knows? You might just find a hidden gem in your pocket! Happy hunting!
More Varieties Like The 1980 Doubled Die Penny Rich Off Error Coins
The 1980 Doubled Die Penny is just one of many doubled die varieties you can find in the Lincoln Memorial set. There are several doubled dies that are even more valuable than this one!
Learn about other varieties here at Rich Off Error Coins when you become a member to the website!
