The 1970 S Doubled die penny is an extremely rare variety. This post will help you correctly identify this valuable error coin. Learn about this variety and many more here at Valuable Coin List! Register for a free account now and get your free gift!
During 1970, there were many doubled die errors in the Lincon Cent collection. Out of all the many varieties you can find, the 1970-S Large Date DDO known as FS-01-1970S-101, is the rarest and most valuable.
Be sure to go check out our other pages if you are unsure what a doubled die error is.
What Does the 1970 S Doubled Die Penny Look Like?
The 1970 S doubled die penny features extremely strong doubling on the date, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST. Remember, the doubled image will look EXACTLY like the picture because it is a doubled die error. If your coin has a doubled image that looks different than the picture, it is most likely a different doubled die error, or strike doubling.
Strike doubling is very common. Because of this, it carries no value at all. So check out our other pages to learn the difference between a true doubled die and other forms of doubling.
You can see where each letter was pressed over the other. The images will be rounded if it is a true doubled die. Where as with strike doubling, the secondary doubled image will be flat and shelf-like.
The doubling is so strong on this coin, you really don’t even need magnification to see it. Check out the close up image of LIBERTY below. You can clearly see a B on top of another B.
One way to help better identify the 1970 S doubled die is with die markers. The die that was used to press these coins had a doubled image on it. Besides the doubled image, it also had some different marks and scratches on it. There is a large die scratch that runs through the upper left 0 in the date, down through the bottom of the 7. From there, it runs to the top of the “S” mint mark. If your coin has the doubled image, along with this scratch… you can be sure that you have some money in your hands!
Value of the 1970 S Doubled Die Penny
This variety is extremely scarce. There are less than 5 examples with a grade of MS66 and none graded any higher. The CherryPickers’ Guide lists this variety with a value anywhere from $750 in EF-40 all the way to $18,000 in MS-65. You can still expect $10,000 with a grade of MS-63 and $1,250 with a grade of AU-50.
The auction record for the 1970 S doubled die penny is $24,150! That coin had a grade of MS-66 and was sold back in 2001 at Bowers & Merena. Check out the details here.
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