We now continue our examination of Lincoln cent varieties. Moving right along to the varieties that you can discover for 1984.
1984-D Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
The first coin in line for this year comes to us from the Denver Mint. And here there is not dramatic but still significant doubling to be found on the obverse of the coin. Beginning with some minor doubling on the Letters of Liberty.
But the better example is to be discovered on the letters of “In God We Trust.” With the “we trust” portion being the more pronounced example therein. All of the letters are doubled due south, with the doubling becoming significantly more pronounced as you move further towards the right of the coin. This becomes more obvious on the letters of trust. Pay attention to the flags of the two T’s: the bottom of the U as well as the S of the letter.
But the doubling that is most often noted for this coin, though, appears on the numbers of the date. With the doubling in this case, displaying in a south-easterly direction. Most notably on the tail of the nine, and the bottom rounding of the number eight.
While the variety is fairly well known, it remains, in my opinion, fairly underappreciated in the market overall. In 2023 a PCGS graded MS66 Red example was sold by Great Collections for $8,781,24.
1984 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
For the next variety we shift eastwards to the Philadelphia Mint to find another doubled obverse Lincoln penny. Here the best doubling is seen on the numbers of the date, with the tail of the nine, the roundings of the eight, and even the four showing particularly strong separation lines in each case.
Now in the case of this particular variety, there is a good chance that the coin you might find might be in a more advanced or a later die state. In which case the separation lines that we see here might fade and the best signs of the doubling would be an additional thickness to the letters instead.
And the same holds true for the remainder of the doubling on this coin, which is best seen on the letters of “In God We Trust.” Again in this case, depending on the specific die state of the coin that you have in front of you, you should either see separation lines on the letters or additional thickness to the letters. Either indicating doubling on this coin.
Then in addition to this you can also find signs of doubling in Lincoln’s hair. Towards the top of his head and nearer to the back at the crown. Which can be used as a nice confirmatory diagnostic point if you’re not exactly sure if you do in fact have this variety
In terms of the auction record in 2023, an MS65 red example of this coin was sold at auction by Heritage, graded by PCGS, for a total of $720.
And then we have what is by far the best known variety for 1984. The so-called doubled ear 1984 penny. And I’d go even as far as to argue that it is the best known of this particular sub-genre of variety coin.
1984 Doubled Ear Lincoln Penny
And of course there is no hiding that the absolute best doubling on this coin is the titular doubling on Lincoln’s ear. Where if you look just due south of the ear There is clear and unambiguous doubling so bold with Extremely wide separation that leads to almost the entire ear being doubled due south.
But even though that is definitely the trophy and hallmark of this particular coin, that is not where the doubling ends. As there is also additional very strong doubling on Lincoln’s beard However due to the nature of the design, it is less obvious, shall we say. But comparing it to a normal non-variety coin from the same issue soon makes the doubling become immediately apparent by comparison here as well.
And here in 2023 an absolutely stunning example of this coin, graded by PCGS as MS68+ red formerly from the fantastic Stephenville collection, was sold at auction by Heritage for the equally impressive closing sum of $15 600.
