The 1955 doubled die Lincoln cent is the best-known U.S. doubled die. Strong Class I hub doubling happened when the working die received misaligned impressions, creating bold, spread-out letters that you can see without magnification.
- Where to look: Date, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST show thick, split serifs and clear separation lines.
- How it happened: The die was rotated slightly between two hubbings, shifting the design on the second impression.
- Diagnostics: Even, dramatic doubling across all obverse lettering; reverse is normal; no need for magnification to confirm.
- Damage vs. true doubling: Machine/mechanical doubling flattens letters and hugs one side—this coin shows rounded, raised splits.
Graded examples in mid-grade circulated condition can still sell for hundreds, while high-grade pieces reach the thousands. If you find one, handle by the edges, photograph both sides, and consider submission to a top grading service.