In the Scheme of things, is the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent rare?

coirn · May 12, 2011 3:03AM

It's always been one of my favorite coins. Difficult to pinpoint why.
Do you consider this error to be rare? Scarce? Or, simply desirable?

STONE · May 12, 2011 3:05AM

Not rare, but it is desirable for how dramatic it is and how available it is (especially in high grades).

For me, rare coins have (far) fewer than 100 known pieces, and there are thousands of '55 DDO's out there

Bochiman · May 12, 2011 3:24AM

I agree with Stone and those hotties in his avatar

Not rare at all, always available. Very desirable. Easy to find but hard to find truly nice ones.
When I was first looking for a nice example back in 2004/2005, I went through a few dozen (at least a dozen at FUN 2005 alone) from AU-MS64 range, before finding one I liked enough to purchase (that was an Au58 from Heritage that they had on ebay I believe).

I then was offered the one I am posting here, from Mark Feld, which is a MS63 (was NGC, now PCGS), and I instantly sold the AU58 to get a little cash buffer for this one. While I wouldn't mind hoarding a few of the nicer ones, I have never regretted this purchase and it is on the "KEEP for a long long time" list for us (my son and I).

Note: on this picture, it is obviously lit pretty well with lights. When held in hand, it does have these colors, but if you don't have the light right, and you are looking straight on, it is more muted and brown looking. Nice, satiny luster though. I love this coin

291fifth · May 12, 2011 3:26AM

It is very popular because the doubling is very pronounced and can be seen without a magnifying glass.

It isn't rare. I suspect that a very high percentage of them survived.

RichieURich · May 12, 2011 3:29AM

I agree with Stone. It is one of the coolest doubled die coins in existence, and it definitely made collecting varieties more popular. But my definition of rarity is listed on my website:

"[discussing Bust coins] . . . Third, they are rare. The 1909-SVDB cent is often called "rare". But in less than one year, you could buy enough to have a roll of them. There are several Bust coins for which if the entire quantity in existence is put together, it would not make up a roll. Now that's rare."

PerryHall · May 12, 2011 3:33AM

Sort of like the MCMVII High Relief Saint---not particularly rare but very popular and always in high demand resulting in high prices. That old supply and demand thingy.

MsMorrisine · May 12, 2011 3:42AM

rare numerically,
or rare as in hard to find one on the market?

PerryHall · May 12, 2011 4:21AM

<< rare numerically,
or rare as in hard to find one on the market? >>

Aren't they the same? If I can go to a major show and buy a dozen HR Saints or a dozen 1909-svdb cents, they ain't rare---they are just expensive. Don't confuse rare with expensive.

BXBOY143 · May 12, 2011 4:35AM

in my opinion the 1955 doubled die is desirable where as

the 1958 doubled die is rare

coirn · May 12, 2011 4:41AM

<< in my opinion the 1955 doubled die is desirable where as

the 1958 doubled die is rare

>>

Love the look of that 1958. Absolutely the epitome of rarity (as I barely recall these existing!).
Interesting too how LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST is so incredibly doubled yet the date isn't (or, is weakly so).

keyman64 · May 12, 2011 4:49AM

Not at all rare, just like the 1916-D Mercury Dime isn't rare.

Frankcoins · May 12, 2011 5:06AM

<< in my opinion the 1955 doubled die is desirable where as

the 1958 doubled die is rare

>>

I have never liked the 1958 doubled die. The rims that nearly spill off the edge of the coin. There are fake 1955 DD coins
that seem more authentic than this piece.

questor54 · May 12, 2011 5:09AM

No. No. No.

Are my answers to your questions too terse?

kiyote · May 12, 2011 5:22AM

Even a lot of non-collectors know about the '55 double die cent.

Zoins · May 12, 2011 5:24AM

No
No
Yes

howards · May 12, 2011 6:57AM

Not rare. You can buy one pretty much anytime you want to lay out the dollars.

Rare is a coin that you scour the country for, never see, and have it show up after a decade of searching. (Which doesn't necessarily means it's valuable...)

Onedollarnohollar · May 12, 2011 7:14AM

Not trying to hijack this thread, apologies to the OP....but this is where the importance/significance of the 2009-p Lincoln double dies come in....not rare perhaps, but interesting....especially the wddr-006 ddo 009 skeleton finger....found in only one dated mint box and within approximately a four hour period on 4/23....it would be interesting to compare the actual population numbers from the '55 to the skeleton finger variety....that would help to project the future values of these varieties.....only time will tell how this plays out....

TPRC · May 12, 2011 7:19AM

<< No
No
Yes

>>

Bochiman · May 12, 2011 7:19AM

<< Not trying to hijack this thread, apologies to the OP....but this is where the importance/significance of the 2009-p Lincoln double dies come in....not rare perhaps, but interesting....especially the wddr-006 ddo 009 skeleton finger....found in only one dated mint box and within approximately a four hour period on 4/23....it would be interesting to compare the actual population numbers from the '55 to the skeleton finger variety....that would help to project the future values of these varieties.....only time will tell how this plays out.... >>

I would disagree. The 2009 varities don't have the visibility and easy of seeing to compare to the 55 DDO.
With the 55 DDO, one can see it. It's RIGHT THERE! With the 2009, good luck. Get a loupe. Too many to bother with as well.
So, keep your hope up, but don't be surprised if they never become comparable.

291fifth · May 12, 2011 7:31AM

<< 

<< Not trying to hijack this thread, apologies to the OP....but this is where the importance/significance of the 2009-p Lincoln double dies come in....not rare perhaps, but interesting....especially the wddr-006 ddo 009 skeleton finger....found in only one dated mint box and within approximately a four hour period on 4/23....it would be interesting to compare the actual population numbers from the '55 to the skeleton finger variety....that would help to project the future values of these varieties.....only time will tell how this plays out.... >>

I would disagree. The 2009 varities don't have the visibility and easy of seeing to compare to the 55 DDO.
With the 55 DDO, one can see it. It's RIGHT THERE! With the 2009, good luck. Get a loupe. Too many to bother with as well.
So, keep your hope up, but don't be surprised if they never become comparable. >>

The 2009 cent varieties are very minor and are well on their way to numismatic oblivion.

19Lyds · May 12, 2011 7:37AM

<< 

<< Not trying to hijack this thread, apologies to the OP....but this is where the importance/significance of the 2009-p Lincoln double dies come in....not rare perhaps, but interesting....especially the wddr-006 ddo 009 skeleton finger....found in only one dated mint box and within approximately a four hour period on 4/23....it would be interesting to compare the actual population numbers from the '55 to the skeleton finger variety....that would help to project the future values of these varieties.....only time will tell how this plays out.... >>

I would disagree. The 2009 varities don't have the visibility and easy of seeing to compare to the 55 DDO.
With the 55 DDO, one can see it. It's RIGHT THERE! With the 2009, good luck. Get a loupe. Too many to bother with as well.
So, keep your hope up, but don't be surprised if they never become comparable. >>

They also do not have that "IN YOUR FACE" doubling that literally ANYBODY, non-collectors included, can see with out having a guided tour.

Zoins · May 12, 2011 7:44AM

I have to say the other cool thing about the 1955 is that there are already two 5s there, so you have four 5s

66Tbird · May 12, 2011 8:02AM

<< I have to say the other cool thing about the 1955 is that there are already two 5s there, so you have four 5s

>>

Not rare, just pricy. I had to settle for a 72

ambro51 · May 12, 2011 8:04AM

I would say ,Yes, in a large sense you can consider them rare. With an estimated issue of about 24,000, add in a slight attrition, there are still at least 15 to 20,000 out ther. since they were not saved in roll quantity, at GEM they are astonishingly rare.

Of course the term Rare must be tempered with overall collector numbers since we are talking about lincoln cents.

GrumpyEd · May 12, 2011 8:46AM

Depends how you look at it.
Sure there are some at any big coin show, it's not hard to buy one.

But try finding one, it's not likely (even though a few members have found one). Just imagine if you took it as a mission to find one in the wild it might never happen.

In high grades they're not common.

There's probably more fakes/copies than real ones.

Compared to many other Lincolns there's less of them, I bet there are dozens of S-VDBs for every 55 DDO.
I'd say it's rare enough that there's a lot more people that want them than there are examples to go around.

ambro51 · May 12, 2011 10:13AM

<< There's probably more fakes/copies than real ones. >>

Is that documented, or your feelings...

EagleEye · May 12, 2011 10:20AM

The 1955 DDO is "available' but it is still rarer than the 1909-S VDB.

oreville · May 12, 2011 10:42AM

Perhaps the word scarce should be used more often as an in-between descriptive word instead of the overused word rare."

Zoins · May 12, 2011 11:04AM

Does this apply:

Sheldon Rarity Scale

Rarity Description
R1 Common, readily available
R2 Less common - Available at most shows, but in limited quantity
R3 Scarce - somewhat difficult to find, only a few likely at larger shows
R4 Very scarce - may or may not find at larger shows/auctions
R5 Rare - unlikely more than 5 at shows or auctions each year
R6 Very rare - Almost never seen, only one may be offered for sale in a year’s time
R7 Prohibitively rare - one may be offered for sale once every few years
R8 Unique, or nearly so

Lakesammman · May 12, 2011 11:23AM

Desirable - there are about 600 of them in the Heritage archives, c/w 2350 1909-S VDB's.

MsMorrisine · May 12, 2011 11:44AM

<< 

<< rare numerically,
or rare as in hard to find one on the market? >>

Aren't they the same? If I can go to a major show and buy a dozen HR Saints or a dozen 1909-svdb cents, they ain't rare---they are just expensive. Don't confuse rare with expensive. >>

yes and no.

availability does come into play.

there's 10 Unc. jackie robinsons on eBay,
there's only 3 Unc. van buren's liberty.

MsMorrisine · May 12, 2011 11:45AM

<< The 1955 DDO is "available' but it is still rarer than the 1909-S VDB. >>

this is what I'm talking about.

GrumpyEd · May 12, 2011 11:48AM

<< There's probably more fakes/copies than real ones. >>

<< Is that documented, or your feelings... >>

Look at ebay, there are always copies (sold as copies) plus fakes.
Not documented but I bet if someone tracked the total of all the copies sold on ebay over the years it's a lot!
I've also known of many bought as real that come back from grading as questionable authenticity.
There are a lot of fakes.

Aegis3 · May 12, 2011 11:51AM

It depends on your scheme. If your scheme is say assay commission medals, then the 1955 DDO is COMMON. If your scheme is the number of hydrogen atoms in the universe, then it is RARE.

mkman123 · May 12, 2011 12:28PM

love the 55 DDO because of how apparent the doubling is......you can see it with the naked eye, don't need a microscope like some other DDOs out there

That said, I think they are scarce but not sure if rare is the right word.

PerryHall · May 12, 2011 10:37PM

<< The 1955 DDO is "available' but it is still rarer than the 1909-S VDB. >>

The demand for the 1909-SVDB is far greater since it's needed for a complete set of Lincoln cents while the 1955 DDO is not required similar to the 1922 Plain.

johnny9434 · May 13, 2011 3:49AM

is there any perticular mintage numbers to the 1955 double die cents?

Bochiman · May 13, 2011 4:08AM

<< is there any perticular mintage numbers to the 1955 double die cents? >>

Yep....look a few posts above...Ambro stated ~24,000. These were found before release but due to conditions and the need to get cents out there, a whole bag was shipped out.

Zoins · May 13, 2011 4:12AM

To attest to how cool and popular the 55 DDO is, check out everything you can buy at http://www.cafepress.com/1955ddo

What other coin is this popular?

ambro51 · May 13, 2011 4:16AM

<< What other coin is this popular? >>

The Standish Barry Three pence of course...where ya been??

Zoins · May 13, 2011 4:35AM

<< 

<< What other coin is this popular? >>

The Standish Barry Three pence of course...where ya been?? >>

Mmm, it has potential, but James Calhoun may need a popularity campaign! His Wikipedia page is way too short and doesn't even mention the coin! Anyone know why Calhoun is on the coin? How did Barry and Calhoun know each other? Calhoun didn't become mayor until 1794 and the coin is dated 1790 so what was Calhoun doing in 1790?

19Lyds · May 13, 2011 4:51AM

<< don't need a microscope like some other DDOs out there

>>

If I interpret this literally then all folks need to throw out their loupe's since its nothing more than a hand held microscope.

Yes there are doubled dies out there that are extremely minor and are "best" viewed in a light controlled environment which can be impossible using a hand held loupe but that does not diminish the fact that they are true doubled dies and for some collectors, highly collectible.

I guess I kinda get tired of hearing the constant dissing about microscopes which I view as an essential piece of equipment for ANY coin collector.

tahoe98 · May 13, 2011 5:45AM

...they're only rare when I don't have one.

MsMorrisine · May 13, 2011 6:53AM

<< 

<< don't need a microscope like some other DDOs out there

>>

If I interpret this literally then all folks need to throw out their loupe's since its nothing more than a hand held microscope.

Yes there are doubled dies out there that are extremely minor and are "best" viewed in a light controlled environment which can be impossible using a hand held loupe but that does not diminish the fact that they are true doubled dies and for some collectors, highly collectible.

I guess I kinda get tired of hearing the constant dissing about microscopes which I view as an essential piece of equipment for ANY coin collector. >>

good point.

if the loupe idea is taken to grading, then all grading should be done with the naked eye.

coirn · May 13, 2011 6:54AM

Would you place the scarcity of this issue above that of the 1972/72 and the 1995/95?

Silly question: What are the doubled dies within the Lincoln cent series that are recognized by collectors?
Partial list: 1917/17 added? 1969?

tahoe98 · May 13, 2011 9:10AM

...the doubled die holds a certain mystique for the collector.

Doubledieanotherday · November 19, 2021 5:58AM

Depending on the severity to which you collect it could be rare or not rare at all. I got my first one not long ago ms64 RB. I cherish it and it makes me happy when I look at it

ricko · November 19, 2021 6:15AM

@Doubledieanotherday .... Welcome aboard. Enjoy your coin, it is a special one. Cheers, RickO

jdimmick · November 19, 2021 6:43AM

IMO, not rare, scarcer in higher grades with decent amount of red, but very popular . However, in gem full red, different deal, quite scarce

Jzyskowski1 · November 19, 2021 6:49AM

@Doubledieanotherday said:
Depending on the severity to which you collect it could be rare or not rare at all. I got my first one not long ago ms64 RB. I cherish it and it makes me happy when I look at it

Congratulations. Welcome. Nice job of looking up this thread and posting! 😉

Broadstruck · November 19, 2021 7:43AM

The 1955 double die cent marketing wise is just one of the best promoted coins along with the 1943 copper.

At 33,000+ known it's not rare by any means and even in high grade can be bought at any hour of the day on the internet.

In the Scheme of things, is the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent rare?

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