The 1984 penny is pretty easy to find in pocket change.
But have you heard about the 1984 doubled die penny?
Maybe you even have one of these rare 1984 pennies sitting in a change jar at home.
Read on to find out how to spot one of these 1984 doubled die pennies and discover what these rare coins are worth!
All 1984 Penny Values
Most 1984 pennies are worth just face value if they’re worn.
The only 1984 pennies that are worth more than 1 cent are those that:
- are uncirculated
- were struck as collector proof coins
- have errors or varieties
Perhaps the most famous 1984 penny is the highly popular doubled die cent.
We’ll talk much more about the 1984 doubled die penny and how to find one of these error coins, but let’s first discuss 1984 penny values:
- 1984 no mintmark penny – 8,151,079,000 (8.151 billion) minted; 20 to 40+ cents
- 1984-D penny – 5,569,238,906 (5.569 billion) minted; 20 to 40+ cents
- 1984-S proof penny – 3,065,110 minted; $2+
- 1984 doubled die penny – mintage unknown; $170+
*Values are for problem-free coins (no cleanings, holes, porosity, etc.) in uncirculated condition or proof. Circulated 1984 pennies are generally worth face value.
About That Rare 1984 Doubled Die Penny…
It’s estimated that several thousand 1984 doubled die pennies were made.
Relatively few people outside of the coin-collecting arena know about the 1984 doubled die penny — so there are still many floating around in circulation that can be found by astute hobbyists who check their pocket change.
How do you find a 1984 doubled die Lincoln cent?
Doubling will be found on the obverse, or “head’s” side of the penny.
Specifically, you’ll need to look on Lincoln’s bust for the most prominent signs of the doubling. You should see doubling in the following areas on the 1984 doubled die penny:
- Lincoln’s ear
- The President’s bowtie
- His beard
The doubled areas will all appear just below each of those main features — or as some collectors might say, toward the “south.” For example, doubling on Lincoln’s ear, which is where doubling is the most prominent on the 1984 doubled die penny, will be seen just below (or south) of Lincoln’s “main” ear.
Now that you know what to look for on 1984 doubled die pennies, maybe you’ll be able to spot some in your spare change or coin jar!
Fingers crossed….
IMPORTANT: What Is The Grade Of Your 1984 Penny?
To determine the true value of your 1964 penny, you first need to know what condition (or grade) your coin is in.
Grab a coin magnifier and a copy of the U.S. Coin Grading Standards book. Then, watch this video to see how to grade coins yourself at home:
More Info About Valuable 1984 Pennies
In addition to the links I’ve included above, here are some other resources to help you learn more about your 1984 penny:
I’m the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century.
I’m a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I’m also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I’ve contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek.
I’ve authored nearly 1,000 articles here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins (many of them with over 50K shares), and I welcome your coin questions in the comments below!
