1982 D Lincoln Memorial Cent DDO Coin possible double strike
The coin pictured is a 1982-D Lincoln Memorial Cent, which is a key transitional year for the U.S. penny. In 1982, the U.S. Mint changed the composition of the cent from a 95% copper alloy to a copper-plated zinc planchet. To accommodate this change, the Mint produced both large and small date varieties for that year, in both copper and zinc compositions, from both the Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (D) mints. This combination of variables makes the 1982 cent a fascinating and sought-after coin for collectors.
The specific coin in the photo is identified as a potential “DDO” or “Doubled Die Obverse.” This is a mint error that occurs when the coin die, which is used to strike the design onto a blank coin (planchet), receives an improperly aligned, second impression during its creation. This results in a slightly overlapping or doubled image of the design on the coin itself. In this photograph, the arrows highlight the areas where doubling may be visible, particularly on the lettering of “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.” The “double strike” mentioned in the description is another term for this type of error, although “doubled die” is the more technically accurate numismatic term.
For a 1982-D cent, a doubled die obverse is a known, though scarce, variety. Finding a genuine example requires careful inspection under magnification. Collectors and numismatists often look for clear separation lines and distinct doubling in the letters and numbers, which is what the arrows in the image are pointing to. The value of such a coin can vary greatly depending on the grade and the prominence of the doubling. This coin, with its potential DDO error and its place in the complex 1982 cent series, represents a significant find for any coin collector. Its importance lies in both its historical context as a transitional coin and its unique characteristic as a mint error.
