1917 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

The 1917 Doubled Die Obverse is among the oldest recognized doubled die errors in the Lincoln cent series, predating better-known 20th-century doubled dies by decades. It reflects the same basic hubbing misalignment issue that would later produce far more famous examples like the 1955 and 1972 doubled dies, showing that such errors occurred sporadically throughout the series' history rather than only in a handful of celebrated years.

Because it comes from an early era of coin production and collecting, the 1917 doubled die is scarcer and less documented in mainstream awareness than mid-century doubled dies, appealing mainly to specialists in early Lincoln cent varieties.

Its age also means most surviving examples show significant wear, as coins from this period saw heavy circulation before being pulled aside by variety-conscious collectors decades later.

The Lincoln wheat cent, introduced in 1909 from Victor David Brenner's design, continued to use traditional die-making techniques through the early 20th century, techniques susceptible to the same hubbing misalignments that create doubled dies. In 1917, one or more Philadelphia obverse dies received a doubled hubbing, leaving visible doubling in the date and legend on coins struck from that die.

Unlike modern doubled dies that are often identified quickly through hobby publications, errors from this early period were typically discovered only much later, as 20th-century variety collectors and researchers began systematically studying older Lincoln cents for die varieties using magnification and reference photography.

Today the 1917 doubled die obverse is documented in specialized variety references and is sought after primarily by collectors focused on early Lincoln cent die varieties rather than casual collectors.

The obverse shows the standard Brenner portrait of Lincoln with LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the 1917 date, while the reverse carries the wheat ears design with ONE CENT and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, typical of cents from this era.

Doubling on this variety is generally visible in the date numerals and portions of the legend, though the strength of doubling can vary and often requires magnification to appreciate fully compared to later, bolder doubled dies. Collectors should examine the coin closely under a loupe, focusing on the date and the lettering nearest the rim.

Because the coin is nearly identical in overall design to any other 1917 wheat cent, confirming the variety typically requires comparison against published attribution photos in specialized doubled die references, as casual inspection alone can miss the doubling.

As an early and relatively obscure doubled die, the 1917 DDO commands a premium over a normal 1917 cent, with values generally ranging from modest sums in worn grades up to several hundred dollars or more for well-preserved, clearly doubled examples. Values are sensitive to both grade and the visibility of doubling.

Because it is less broadly known than mid-century doubled dies, its market is narrower and more dependent on variety specialists, meaning prices can vary more between sales than for widely recognized doubled dies.