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

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🕵️‍♂️ 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.

📈 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

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🔥 Don’t Miss Out on More Rare Coin Finds!

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🔗 Sign up now and start turning pocket change into profit!

Did you know a small design difference on a 1992 penny could make it worth thousands of dollars? That’s right! The 1992 Close AM penny is one of the most valuable modern Lincoln cents, and collectors are always on the hunt for this rare variety.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including:
✅ What the 1992 Close AM penny is
✅ How to identify one
✅ How much it’s worth today
✅ Where you might find one in your change

Let’s dive in!

What is an Error Coin?

Check out this page to learn all about error coins!

🔎 What Is the 1992 Close AM Penny?

The 1992 Lincoln penny was struck at both the Philadelphia (no mintmark) and Denver (D mintmark) Mints. Most 1992 pennies have a small gap between the “A” and “M” in AMERICA on the reverse (called a “Wide AM”).

But a rare mistake happened… A few 1992 pennies were accidentally struck with the design intended for 1993, where the A and M are nearly touching (Close AM).

This tiny design difference makes the 1992 Close AM penny extremely valuable!

🧐 How to Identify a 1992 Close AM Penny

You don’t need special tools—just a sharp eye! Here’s what to look for:

1️⃣ Check the “AM” in AMERICA

• Wide AM (Common): There’s a noticeable gap between the A and M.
• Close AM (Rare!): The A and M are so close they almost touch.

2️⃣ Look for the Mintmark

• The 1992 Close AM exists on both Philadelphia (no mintmark) and Denver (D mintmark) coins.
• The 1992-D Close AM is the rarest and most valuable!

3️⃣ Inspect the Designer’s Initials (FG)

• The “FG” (Frank Gasparro’s initials) should be farther from the Lincoln Memorial on Close AM pennies.
• On Wide AM pennies, the FG is closer to the building.

💰 How Much Is a 1992 Close AM Penny Worth?

The value of a 1992 Close AM penny depends on its condition:

💡 Fun Fact: A 1992-D Close AM penny sold for $25,850 at auction!

🏆 Where to Find a 1992 Close AM Penny

Yes, you can still find one in circulation! Here’s where to check:

• Your pocket change – Always inspect your 1992 pennies!
• Old coin rolls – Bank-wrapped or customer-rolled pennies can hide treasures.
• Estate sales & flea markets – Sellers may not realize what they have.
• Coin collections – Many people overlook this variety!

👉 Pro Tip: Use a magnifying glass or a coin loupe to check your 1992 pennies closely.

🔥 Final Thoughts – Could YOU Have a $20,000 Penny?

The 1992 Close AM penny is one of the most valuable Lincoln cent varieties, and it’s still being discovered! Even if you’ve never searched for rare coins before, this is an easy one to check for—just look at the AM in AMERICA.

Want to stay updated on the most valuable coins you could find in your pocket? 🚀

📩 Join the Valuable Coin List Newsletter! Get expert tips, rare coin alerts, and exclusive insights delivered to your inbox. Sign up now! 👉 https://valuablecoinlist.com/register

Have you ever found a valuable penny? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️💬

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