A 1917 Doubled Die Obverse penny graded MS67+ Red sold for $120,000 at auction — making it one of the most valuable Lincoln cents ever sold. Most circulated examples trade for $0.15 to $30, but the right coin in the right grade can be life-changing. Use our free calculator to find out exactly where yours stands.
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The 1917 DDO is the single most valuable and sought-after variety in this date's lineup. Use this checklist to assess whether your coin might be one of the roughly 200 known examples.
Check all four criteria below — if you get 4/4, seek professional authentication immediately:
Before diving into the table, use this complete 1917 wheat penny identification walkthrough to confirm your coin's variety and color designation — those two factors can multiply value by 5× or more. Values below are market ranges based on PCGS Price Guide data and recent auction results.
| Variety | Worn (G–VG) | Circulated (F–XF) | Uncirculated (MS60–64) | Gem MS65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1917 Philadelphia (no mark) — BN | $0.15 – $1 | $1 – $5 | $20 – $120 | $200 – $600 |
| 1917 Philadelphia (no mark) — RD | — | — | $40 – $200 | $500 – $10,000+ |
| 1917-D Denver — BN | $1 – $7 | $7 – $20 | $100 – $300 | $300 – $800 |
| 1917-D Denver — RD | — | — | $150 – $400 | $700 – $21,275+ |
| 1917-S San Francisco — BN | $1 – $10 | $10 – $30 | $100 – $500 | $400 – $1,500 |
| 1917-S San Francisco — RD | — | — | $200 – $600 | $1,500 – $36,800+ |
| ★ 1917 DDO (Doubled Die) — any color | $150 – $300 | $300 – $2,640 | $2,750 – $7,200 | $14,688 – $120,000+ |
| 🔴 1917 DDO FS-101 — top grade RD | $200+ | $500+ | $3,000+ | up to $84,000 |
★ = Signature variety (DDO). 🔴 = Rarest variety (DDO FS-101 top grade). RD = Full Red luster. BN = Brown. Values are ranges based on PCGS Price Guide and auction data · 2026 edition.
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The 1917 Lincoln cent harbors some of the most electrifying error coins in the entire wheat penny series. Every variety below resulted from specific mechanical or procedural failures at the mint — each leaving behind a uniquely identifiable coin that commands a significant premium over a standard strike. Values range from a few dollars for minor die cracks to well over $100,000 for the finest doubled die specimens.
The 1917 Doubled Die Obverse is arguably the most celebrated Lincoln cent error of the early wheat penny era. It occurred during die manufacturing when the working die received two or more impressions from the master hub at slightly misaligned angles, embedding a double image into the die itself — and then onto every coin that die struck.
Visual recognition centers on the date: the digits "9" and "7" show the most dramatic doubling, appearing as rounded shelf-like images offset from the primary design. The motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" also displays this characteristic rounded, three-dimensional secondary outline — distinct from the flat, smeared look of machine (strike) doubling. The word "LIBERTY" may show lighter doubling as well.
Collectors prize this variety for its dramatic visual impact and extreme scarcity. Only approximately 200 examples are believed to exist across all grades. The finest known — PCGS MS67+ Red — sold for $120,000 in 2019 and carries a current PCGS price guide value of $135,000. Even circulated examples in grades like VF or EF regularly sell for hundreds of dollars, making this a life-changing find in any condition.
The 1917 DDO FS-101 is a distinct second doubled die variety catalogued separately from the standard DDO by CONECA and the Cherrypickers' Guide. Like the standard DDO, it originated when the working die was hubbed multiple times with a slight rotational or lateral misalignment. However, the angle and degree of offset differ, producing a subtly different doubling signature that die variety specialists can distinguish.
Identification requires careful comparison against reference images for both DDO varieties. The FS-101 doubling is typically recognized by the specific orientation and separation of the secondary images on the date and motto. Collectors who can cherry-pick this variety from raw, unattributed coins often acquire it at standard DDO prices before attribution adds its own premium.
At the top of the market, the FS-101 commands extraordinary prices: the finest known example sold at auction in 2018 for $84,000. This places it firmly in the "rarest" tier despite being less famous than the standard DDO. Any FS-101 in Mint State condition represents a four-to-five-figure coin even in the lower uncirculated grades, and professional PCGS or NGC certification is essential to confirm attribution and maximize realized value.
In 1917, mint marks were not part of the master die design. Instead, mint workers added them individually by hand to each working die using a separate punch tool. This manual, one-die-at-a-time process made errors common — and the Denver Mint's "D" mark was particularly susceptible to being struck in the wrong position on the first attempt, requiring a corrective second punch.
The result is a Repunched Mint Mark (RPM): the "D" below the date shows a visible secondary outline or shadow impression that can be positioned to the north, south, east, or west of the primary, stronger "D." Under 10x magnification, the extra punch marks appear as a notch, serif split, or full second "D" impression. Strong, dramatic examples show obvious doubling of the letter's full outline.
While RPMs are not rare in the way the DDO is, they remain genuinely popular among Lincoln cent variety specialists and cherry-pickers. Circulated examples typically trade for $5 to $20, with strong dramatic examples bringing $50 to $100 in circulated grades. Mint State specimens with sharp, clearly separated repunching can command meaningful premiums beyond the standard 1917-D price, particularly when attributed and certified.
Off-center strikes occur when a blank planchet is not properly seated in the coining collar at the moment the dies come together. The resulting coin shows the Lincoln portrait and reverse design shifted toward one side, leaving a corresponding crescent of blank, unstruck planchet on the opposite edge. The degree of off-center can range from a barely noticeable 3–5% to a dramatic 50% or more.
On a 1917 off-center cent, visual inspection is straightforward: one side of the coin will show a widening arc of blank copper with no design, while the design elements are crowded toward the other rim. Critical to value is whether the date remains fully visible — coins with the date intact are worth considerably more than examples where part of the date has migrated off the planchet.
Collector demand for off-center strikes has grown steadily over recent decades. Mild examples at 5%–10% off-center are worth $10–$20. Dramatic strikes of 50% or more can bring several hundred dollars, especially when the date is clear. The 1917 is not a scarce base coin, so extreme off-center examples with full dates command the highest premiums in this variety category.
The Philadelphia Mint struck over 196 million pennies in 1917, an enormous production run that subjected individual dies to extreme mechanical stress. As working dies fatigued, fractures — called die cracks — developed across their hardened steel surfaces. Every coin struck by a cracked die received a faint to prominent raised line wherever the crack existed, because fractured metal in the die creates a depression that fills with metal during striking.
Die cracks appear as raised lines anywhere on the coin's surface — running through letters, crossing Lincoln's portrait, or tracing the reverse wheat stalks. They are easily distinguished from scratches because they are raised (positive relief), not recessed. Run your fingernail gently across a suspected crack: it should feel like a ridge. A die cud forms when a piece of the die breaks away entirely, leaving a raised, featureless blob along the rim where design was once present.
Minor die cracks are worth approximately $3–$5 above base value. Major cracks running prominently across the design can bring $10–$20 as a premium over standard pricing. A significant die cud — where a chunk of the die broke free — can fetch $150 or more depending on size and visual drama. These represent the most affordable entry point into 1917 error collecting and are worth examining on every example you encounter.
Head back to the calculator and select your error variety for an instant value estimate.
| Mint | Mint Mark | Original Mintage | Est. High-Grade Survivors | Scarcity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | 196,429,785 | ~3,000 in Mint State | Common in circ; scarce MS65+ RD |
| Denver | D | 55,120,000 | ~1,000 in Mint State | Scarcer; MS65+ RD elusive |
| San Francisco | S | 32,620,000 | ~400 in Mint State | Semi-key date; XF+ very scarce |
| TOTAL (all mints) | — | 284,169,785 | ~4,400 combined | Survival rate ~0.0015% |
Lincoln's portrait is flat with most hair and beard detail worn smooth. "LIBERTY" is legible but may show weak letters. The date is clear. Wheat stalks visible as outlines. Rim may be worn into lettering in places.
Lincoln's cheekbone and jaw show flatness from wear, but major hair strands are distinct. "LIBERTY" and date are sharp. At XF grade, only the very highest points — shoulder, cheek top — show slight smoothing, and two collar lines remain.
Unbroken mint luster covers the entire surface with zero wear. Lincoln's collar lines — shirt and coat — are fully defined. Contact marks from bag handling are present and reduce grade. Color may be BN, RB, or RD.
Full blazing luster, sharply struck details, and only minor scattered contact marks allowed at MS65. MS66 and above require virtually perfect surfaces. Full Red (RD) designation requires 95%+ original copper luster — exponentially more valuable than BN counterparts.
🔍 CoinHix lets you match your coin's details against graded examples for a quick condition estimate right from your camera — a coin identifier and value app.
Choose your selling venue based on the coin's estimated value — high-value DDOs belong at major auction houses, while common circulated coins move quickly on eBay or at local shops.
The world's largest numismatic auctioneer. Ideal for high-grade or error coins — DDO specimens, gem Red uncirculated examples, and key-date 1917-S coins in choice condition. Heritage charges a buyer's premium but reaches the deepest pool of serious collector bidders. Submit through their online consignment portal with photos and the coin will be evaluated for the appropriate sale.
The most accessible venue for common circulated 1917 pennies. Check recently sold prices for 1917 wheat pennies on completed listings before pricing your coin. Use auction format for potential errors or varieties — competitive bidding often pushes final prices above fixed-price listings. Always photograph both sides clearly and include a size reference.
Walk-in dealers offer immediate cash with no shipping risk. Expect to receive 50–70% of retail value since dealers need a margin. Useful for circulated common coins worth under $30 where auction fees would eat into proceeds. Bring multiple quotes before accepting an offer — prices vary significantly between shops.
The r/coins subreddit and specialty groups like r/wheatpennies offer free community appraisals. Post clear photos of both sides with the mint mark area in focus. Community members can help identify errors or confirm grades before you commit to a selling venue. Not a direct selling platform but invaluable for getting a second opinion on unusual or potentially error coins.
Professional certification from PCGS or NGC transforms a coin from a raw, disputable piece into a universally accepted, market-grade asset. For a potential DDO, the attribution alone can add thousands to the realized price. Certification costs $30–$75 per coin for standard service and is worth it for any coin estimated above $150–$200. Never submit raw coins to a buyer asking for discounts on uncertified pieces.