Hello, everyone! Today I will be talking about doubled die coins and how they are made. Doubled dies are probably the most popular type of die variety on coins and there is a lot to know about them, so let’s dive in.

What is a Doubled Die?

  A doubled die is a type of die variety on a coin. A die variety is an error on a die that strikes many coins. Therefore, there will be several examples of the same variety. Being more specific, a doubled die variety occurs when the design on the die is doubled due to a mishap in the hubbing process. When making a die, a hub must be made in order to transfer the original design onto the actual die. This hub must strike the die multiple times in order for all the design features to appear on the die. However, sometimes the hub strikes the die in a slightly different spot, resulting in the design appearing on the die twice, or doubled. Sometimes the hub strikes the die in three slightly different spots, resulting in a tripled die, or even in four different spots, resulting in a quadrupled die.

Machine Doubling vs. Doubled Dies

  Many times, people get machine doubling and real hub doubling mixed up. However, machine doubling is not worth much of anything while real doubled dies can be worth lots of money. The difference is that machine doubling happens in the striking process and occurs when an old die shifts when striking the coin, almost striking it twice. However, machine doubling is not a double struck coin. There are some distinctive ways to tell the difference between machine doubling and doubled dies. The main difference is that on machine doubling, the doubled part will appear smeared and shelf-like. In contrast, a true doubled die will be very defined and there will typically be two separate serifs at the end of each doubled letter, while the serifs on a machine doubled coin will be blended together. Also, on a true doubled die the doubling will be the same height as the original letters instead of being shorter than them.

Doubled Dies in the Market Place

  Doubled dies are probably the most popular die variety seen on coins. They are distinct, rare, and valuable. Typically, coins get their value from how rare and elusive a coin is. Although rare doubled die coins are normally worth more than a common doubled die, the main thing that gives a doubled die value is how dramatic the doubling is. To prove this, the top 5 most valuable cent doubled dies are:

1958 Doubled Die Obverse

1955 Doubled Die Obverse

1969-S Doubled Die Obverse

1972 Doubled Die Obverse

1995 Doubled Die Obverse

If you look up pictures of all of these coins, the doubling is very dramatic and distinct. This shows that more often than not, a coin with very dramatic doubling will be worth a lot of money in the market place. However, because of the popularity, any doubled die coin can be worth a nice amount of money.

Clearly, doubled dies are truly awesome varieties and can look impressive in any collection. Thank you for reading this blog and have a great day!

Sources:

coins.thefuntimesguide.com/machine-doubling-doubled-dies/