Easy To Find Doubled Die Specimens

I have added a video to help explain what to look for and how to better attribute what you find:

You can go through thousands of coins and not find a doubled die.  Rather than get discouraged, hunt for some low hanging fruit.  Those Doubled Die specimens are easier to find once you can identify a specific type.

Here's an easy one: Look at the reverse of 2004, 2005, 2006 Lincoln cents. These modern Shield Cents are still found with brilliant luster, making these easier to pick out.  Look real close at the statue. There are dozens of Doubled Die Reverse coins in these years that show as extra partial columns. Can be on the left, on the right, high, low, short, long.  This is probably the single easiest DD to find as long as you have at least a 10x loupe.  There are all Class 8, Tilted Hub Doubling.  If you can spot the first one, you'll be able to spot them from across the room.

 

2004 WDDR-025

Above is a 2004 WDDR-025.  The nomenclature is important, it lets you know eexactly what I'm talking about.  2004 is the date.  WDDR is nomenclature used by John Wexler, W=Wexler, DDR=Doubled Die Reverse.  The 025 is the number of the die in his listing.  Look down his listings for 2004 and you'll find it.  Compare for yourself. 

If the above image is difficult to make out, try this one.  I have marked it with arrows.  Your homework assignment is to determine which one this is.  Use Wexler, Coppercoins, and Variety Vista (the Big 3).

2006 DDR

Once you learn how to recognize these, its a piece of cake to pick them out from every box you go through.  I've sold these minor doubled die coins in the range of $1-$5  quite a number of times.  Probably made enough in sales to pay for the camera used to take the photos above.  These don't carry a large premium. I think the greatest value is found as a training tool or stepping stone in identifying other die varieties.

It may be you come across a DDR that is not recorded by any of the Big 3.  This offers you the chance to make a contribution to the hobby.  Send it in to be attributed.  If is determined to be a new variety, the attributor will list your name alongside it before the whole world.  There are scores of these.  I've got several I can't identify.  I've been meaning to send them in but something always comes up. 

As long as you have the coins out, be sure to check for other varieties while you are at it.  I found this 2004 WDDR-005 just last week.  The PUP (PickUp Point) is extra thickeness in the letters of EPU and notches in "States Of".

2004 WDDR-005

The Shield Cents have all produced Doubled Dies in the date or RTY in Liberty. They can be hard to see, a 10x loupe comes in handy, but they are out there. For some of these you need to look at the lower right or left corner of the Y in liberty and tell if it is square or 'funny'. You are looking for extra thickness, slopes and notches.

2011 WDDO-005

 

You've gone to all the trouble of getting the rolls, sorting them, looking close at the obverse, later you'll return all those coins which means rolling or paying coinstar fees.  Get the most out of that box and all the effort: take the extra moment to look at the reverse.  It only takes a moment to flip that coin over.

Attention to detail is the key element to finding these.  They are out there.

Good Luck

Happy Hunting

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The term is Doubled Die.  It's not Double Die, and certainly not Double Dye.  Every coin is produced with 2 dies.  It matters when the die itself is doubled.  If you want to be specific, start there.

A good way to remember is look at Wexler's site, Doubleddie.com.  One lady referred to it as Double Eddie.  At least she had the right number of Ds.