PCGS - The
Lincoln Cent is one of the most popular United States series, and over its century-plus run that began in 1909 it has spawned a multitude of exciting varieties. Among the rarest breed of these are doubled dies, and many collectors know the most popular pieces by heart, including the 1955, 1969-S, 1972, 1983, and 1995 doubled dies. Of course, there are dozens of others attributed in the series, yet most of those remain relatively obscure except to the most enthusiastic series specialists. And then there's one
Lincoln Cent doubled die variety that is so rare, so elusive that few ever really even attempt to collect it. That variety is none other than the 1958 Doubled Die
Lincoln Cent.
The 1958 FS-101 (Class I) Doubled Die
Lincoln Cent yields only three known specimens. It's incredible to think that this variety has existed for more than six decades, belonging to one of the most widely collected series, and has offered the world just three specimens. Not only is this a testament to the true and extreme rarity of this piece, but it also serves as a reminder that the
Lincoln Cent series offers real challenges to even the most tenacious and financially well-heeled of collectors.
From the pure standpoint of the coin being a doubled die, this 1958 variety is quite impressive. The hub doubling is strikingly visible to the naked eye in the obverse inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY, with doubling also evident upon closer inspection in the date. The most sought-after doubled dies are the ones that don't require magnification to clearly notice, and the 1958 doubled die showcases doubling that can be spotted from a proverbial mile away. And, again, this hearkens back to an earlier point - how have only three of these coins been discovered in more than 60 years? Yes, fewer collectors are aware of this coin's existence than they are, say, of the 1955 or 1969-S doubled dies. But with doubling as prominent as that seen on this 1958 variety, it's difficult to believe that even an unassuming collector could not pick this piece out from a crowd.
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Posted 12/09/2019 7:37 pm
