A 1995 penny may be worth considerably more than one cent if the lettering on its front appears distinctly doubled.
Today’s Check Your Change find is the 1995 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln cent, commonly identified as FS-101.
What should you look for?
Begin with a Lincoln Memorial penny dated 1995. The well-known FS-101 variety was struck at Philadelphia, so there should be no mintmark beneath the date.
Examine two areas on the front:
- LIBERTY
- IN GOD WE TRUST
On a genuine 1995 doubled die, the letters display strong, separated doubling. It is often visible without magnification, but a 5X to 10X magnifying glass makes identification easier. The doubling is generally strongest on LIBERTY and the motto; the date is not the principal diagnostic area.
Look for rounded secondary letters and small notches where the doubled images meet. Flat, shelf-like doubling is usually ordinary machine doubling and generally does not add collector value. Die deterioration, glare and circulation damage can also create misleading outlines.
Do not confuse this variety with the much scarcer 1995-D doubled die. The familiar FS-101 discussed here is the Philadelphia coin without a mintmark.
How did the doubling happen?
A doubled die was created during production of the working die, before the coins were struck. When separate hub impressions were not perfectly aligned, portions of the design were duplicated on the die. Every coin struck from that die carried the same doubled lettering.
The discovery became national news during the spring of 1995 and encouraged many people to search new rolls of pennies. PCGS estimates that perhaps 300,000 to 500,000 examples were produced, meaning genuine specimens may still remain undiscovered in circulation and old coin jars.
PCGS describes the variety as one of the last major doubled dies made before the Mint adopted a single-hub die-production technique. The standard Philadelphia mintage exceeded 6.4 billion cents, so checking the lettering—not merely the date—is essential.
How much is a 1995 doubled-die penny worth?
Value depends on authentication, wear, original color and surface quality.
Circulated brown examples may be worth approximately $5 to $20, while attractive uncirculated pieces commonly bring around $20 to $100. Recent certified Mint State examples have sold within this general range, although exceptionally high-grade coins can bring more.
The famous auction record of more than $5,000 involved an exceptionally rare MS69 Red example and should not be considered a typical value. Spots, corrosion, scratches, cleaning and discoloration can substantially reduce what an individual coin is worth. Authentication and condition determine the actual market value.
What should you do if you find one?
Do not clean, polish, rub, scrape or brighten the penny. Hold it by the edges and take sharp photographs of both sides, plus close-ups of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Store it in a non-PVC coin flip or protective capsule and have the variety authenticated before assuming a value.
Have you found a possible 1995 doubled die—or do you have coins, currency or a broader collection? The Patriot Vault may be interested in buying your coin, paper money or collection. Reply to this post and tell us what you have!
