You might have a 1963 penny sitting in your change jar right now, and while most are worth just one cent, certain error varieties could put hundreds of dollars in your pocket. With over 2.5 billion pennies minted between Philadelphia and Denver that year, finding valuable errors requires knowing exactly what to look for. This guide breaks down the specific doubled dies, mint marks, and grading factors that separate common cents from collector treasures.

Understanding the 1963 Lincoln Memorial Cent Production

The United States Mint produced 1963 pennies at two facilities, resulting in coins with and without mint marks. Philadelphia struck 754,110,000 pennies with no mint mark, while Denver produced a staggering 1,774,020,400 pennies bearing the “D” designation below the date on the obverse.

Both varieties feature the Lincoln Memorial reverse design that began in 1959, replacing the original wheat ears reverse. The composition consists of 95% copper and 5% zinc, weighing 3.11 grams with a diameter of 19 millimeters. This massive production run makes circulated examples extremely common, but several error types and high-grade specimens command significant premiums.

The key difference between Philadelphia and Denver strikes lies primarily in the mint mark presence. Philadelphia coins show no mark, while Denver pennies display a small “D” just below the date and to the right of Lincoln’s shoulder. This mint mark placement becomes crucial when identifying certain doubled die varieties.

1963 Penny Values Without Mint Mark (Philadelphia)

Standard Philadelphia 1963 pennies in circulated condition remain at face value regardless of wear level. Even coins grading Good-4 through Extremely Fine-45 typically trade for one cent in bulk transactions.

Uncirculated examples show modest premiums based on grade:

The Philadelphia mintage produced several doubled die varieties, though none reached the fame of earlier years like 1955 or 1972. Most Philadelphia 1963 cents showing minor doubling trade in the five to twenty dollar range when certified, depending on the strength of the doubling and overall grade.

Red (RD) designation coins maintain full original mint luster and bring the highest prices, while Red-Brown (RB) specimens showing partial toning sell for roughly 40-60% of full red values. Brown (BN) coins with complete toning command the lowest premiums, often trading for half the price of comparable red examples.

1963-D Penny Values and Doubled Die Varieties

Denver’s massive production created the most common variety of 1963 pennies. Circulated 1963-D cents hold no premium regardless of condition, with even lightly worn AU-50 examples trading at face value in most markets.

Mint state pricing follows this structure:

The 1963-D Doubled Die Obverse represents the most significant error variety for this date. This error shows clear doubling on the date digits, particularly the final “3” which displays strong separation between the primary and secondary images. The word “LIBERTY” also exhibits noticeable doubling, especially in the letters “B,” “E,” and “R.”

Authenticated 1963-D DDO pennies in circulated grades start around $25 to $40 for well-worn examples. Mid-grade uncirculated specimens in MS-63 to MS-64 red typically sell for $150 to $250. Premium MS-65 red examples have brought $400 to $650 at major auction houses, while a single MS-66+ red specimen sold through Heritage Auctions in 2022 for $1,920.

The doubling occurs on the working hub during die creation, when the die receives multiple impressions slightly offset from each other. Examining the date under 5x to 10x magnification reveals the clearest indication, with the bottom loops of the “3” showing distinct separation when genuine doubling exists.

Critical Error Types Beyond Doubled Dies

Off-center strikes represent another collectible error category for 1963 pennies. Coins struck 5-10% off center with full dates visible trade for $15 to $35 in circulated condition. More dramatic 25-50% off-center examples showing complete dates can reach $75 to $150, while spectacular 60-80% misalignments command $200 to $400 depending on eye appeal and strike quality.

Clipped planchet errors occur when the metal strip feeding the coin press overlaps during cutting, creating a blank with a missing section. Straight clips affecting 5-10% of the planchet sell for $8 to $20, while curved clips showing the Blakesley effect (raised rim opposite the clip) bring $12 to $30. Large clips removing 25% or more of the coin can exceed $50 to $100.

Die cracks and cuds form when dies develop fractures from metal fatigue. Minor die cracks add minimal value, perhaps $1 to $3 for interesting examples. Major cuds, where a piece of die breaks away creating a raised blob of metal on the coin, sell for $25 to $75 for smaller occurrences and $100 to $250 for dramatic examples affecting major design elements.

Broadstrike errors happen when the retaining collar fails to engage, allowing the coin to spread beyond normal diameter during striking. These thin, oversized cents typically measure 20-22mm instead of the standard 19mm. Most broadstrikes trade for $15 to $40, though perfectly centered examples with full details command $50 to $80.

Identifying Authentic Doubled Dies Versus Damage

Distinguishing genuine doubled die varieties from common mechanical doubling or post-mint damage requires understanding how each type appears under magnification. True doubled dies show a clear, rounded secondary image with distinct separation from the primary design. The doubling appears raised and follows the same contours as the original design element.

Mechanical doubling, often called shelf doubling or machine doubling, creates a flat, shelf-like extension at the base of letters or digits. This occurs during the striking process rather than die creation and adds no collector value. The doubling appears as a flat ledge rather than a fully formed secondary image, lacking the depth and clarity of authentic hub doubling.

Examining the date’s third digit under 10x magnification provides the quickest authentication method for 1963-D doubled dies. Genuine examples display a complete secondary “3” offset noticeably from the primary digit, with both images showing full depth and rounded contours. The separation measures approximately 0.5 to 0.8 millimeters at the widest points.

Third-party certification from PCGS or NGC remains essential for selling doubled die varieties above $100. Raw examples claiming doubled die status often fail authentication, with mechanical doubling representing the most common misidentification. Professional grading services charge $20 to $40 for authentication and encapsulation, providing market confidence that justifies the expense for valuable errors.

Maximizing Value Through Proper Grade Assessment

Understanding the Sheldon grading scale helps estimate values before professional certification. Mint State coins show no wear from circulation, with grades MS-60 through MS-70 based on contact marks, luster, and eye appeal. Red designation requires 95% or more original copper color, while Red-Brown allows 5-95% toning and Brown indicates completely toned surfaces.

MS-60 to MS-62 coins display numerous contact marks across major surfaces, particularly Lincoln’s cheek and wheat ear areas. Luster may appear dull or spotted, with several distracting marks visible to the naked eye. These grades typically bring minimal premiums unless significant errors exist.

MS-63 to MS-64 specimens show moderate contact marks concentrated in less prominent areas, with only minor marks on focal points. Luster remains strong with possible minor spotting, and overall eye appeal rates as acceptable to slightly above average. This grade range captures most uncirculated examples from original rolls.

MS-65 represents the threshold where premiums increase substantially. Coins at this level display minimal contact marks, none in prime focal areas, with strong luster and excellent eye appeal. Only light scattered marks appear under magnification, primarily in field areas rather than on design elements.

MS-66 and higher grades demand exceptional preservation, with MS-67 coins showing virtually flawless surfaces under 5x magnification. These premium grades occur rarely for 1963 pennies due to the soft copper composition’s vulnerability to contact marks during production, storage, and handling.

Where to Sell Valuable 1963 Pennies

Local coin shops provide immediate liquidity but typically offer wholesale prices ranging from 50-75% of retail market value. This option works best for common mint state examples worth under $20, where certification costs exceed potential price gains. Shops specializing in error coins may offer better percentages for verified doubled dies.

Online marketplaces like eBay allow direct access to collector markets, though selling requires careful photography, accurate descriptions, and willingness to handle shipping logistics. Certified error coins generally sell for 75-90% of established values, while raw examples bring highly variable prices depending on buyer confidence and competition levels.

Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, and Great Collections handle consignments for coins valued above $500, providing professional photography, authentication verification, and access to serious collector bases. Commission rates typically range from 10-20% depending on consignment value, with lower percentages applying to higher-value lots.

The Coin Community Forum and CoinTalk boards connect sellers with knowledgeable collectors, offering venues for both selling and obtaining authentication opinions before investing in certification. Members frequently purchase interesting varieties directly, often paying fair prices for properly described examples.

Building a Complete Error Collection Strategy

Starting a 1963 penny error collection requires modest investment, with most interesting varieties available under $50. Focus initially on acquiring examples of different error types rather than pursuing high-grade specimens of a single variety. A representative collection might include an off-center strike, clipped planchet, die crack, and mint state regular strike from both mints.

Roll searching remains the most economical acquisition method, though finding uncirculated rolls from 1963 grows increasingly difficult. When available, original bank-wrapped rolls from either mint cost $35 to $65 depending on seller and roll ends’ appearance. Each roll contains 50 pennies, providing statistical opportunities for discovering minor varieties and die states.

Cherry-picking from dealers’ bargain bins and lower-grade coin shows produces occasional discoveries, particularly minor doubled dies and die cracks that dealers may overlook. Bringing a 10x loupe and reference images of known varieties enables quick screening of bulk lots priced at face value or minimal premiums.

Documentation enhances collection value and personal enjoyment, with photographs showing key diagnostic features proving essential for variety attribution. Recording purchase prices, dates, and sources creates provenance that benefits future sales while tracking the collection’s evolution over time.

Start Checking Your Pennies Today

Search through your pocket change and examine any 1963 pennies under magnification, paying special attention to the date’s third digit on Denver mint examples. Even common mint state specimens in MS-65 red offer modest returns over face value, while discovering a genuine doubled die variety could net several hundred dollars. Keep a jeweler’s loupe handy and reference this guide when examining potential errors, remembering that certification remains essential before selling any variety claimed to exceed $100 in value.