United States 1969-S cent
This image likely came from an old Heritage auction. The original poster commented, "1969-S 1C Doubled Die MS63 Red FS-101 (formerly FS-028). This impressive variety has a rarity factor of "URS-6" according to the most recent edition of the Cherrypickers' Guide, a figure that suggests survival of between 17 and 32 pieces. While it is not so famous as doubled dies such as the 1955 and 1972, owing to its rarity, the 1969-S Doubled Die cent has seen several recent high-profile auction appearances that have raised its prominence. In the 40 years since it was struck, the 1969-S Doubled Die cent has seen much controversy, much of it in its first years. Q. David Bowers writes in his Guide Book of Lincoln Cents that due to the appearance of counterfeit Philadelphia 1969 cents that simulated broad doubling, the initial government reaction was hostile: "The Secret Service went on a witch hunt for these, believing that they were counterfeit in the style of [the] fake Philadelphia Mint doubled dies.... By the time these were acknowledged as legitimate, five genuine coins had been destroyed...." This example is one of the survivors, whose true numbers are likely on the low end of the "17 to 32" range. Each side has fresh lemon-copper luster with a kiss of orange. Though faint, scattered abrasions are the norm and several copper spots are present on the reverse, neither type of fault affects the bold doubling that has captivated collectors. A great opportunity to own this famous Lincoln cent rarity.(Registry values: P1) (#2923)."
The Lincoln cent was introduced in 1909 to replace the Indian Head cent. In 1959, the reverse was redesigned to feature the Lincoln Memorial, which design was used until 2008. In 1982, the alloy was converted to copper-plated zinc. The San Francisco mint struck cents for circulation 1968-74, in much smaller quantities than the Philadelphia or Denver mints. The total mintage for 1969 was 5.687 billion, consuming 17,687 metric tons of metal.
Recorded Mintage: 547,309,631 including proofs.
Specification: 3.11 g, brass, 19 mm diameter, plain edge.
Catalog reference: KM 201.
- Taylor, Sol, The Standard Guide to the Lincoln Cent, N. Hollywood, CA, 1983.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
- Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.
- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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