1972 Doubled Die Penny Value: What Yours Is Worth
A real 1972 doubled die penny trades around $215 wholesale in About Uncirculated and retails around $721 in gem uncirculated. Top graded MS67+ RD examples have sold for $14,400 and $17,438. Most 1972 pennies are normal and worth one cent, so you need bold doubling on the date and LIBERTY.
- Variety
- 1972 doubled die obverse, FS-101. Philadelphia, no mint mark.
- What is doubled
- LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and the date, all clearly doubled.
- Where found
- In circulation and in rolls. The Mint struck its last circulating penny on Nov 12, 2025, so old jars are now the main hunting ground.
Value by grade
| Grade | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| About Uncirculated (AU58) | About $215 | Greysheet dealer wholesale |
| Gem Uncirculated (MS65) | $721 | USA Coin Book retail |
| MS67+ RD | $14,400 | Heritage, June 9, 2019 (PCGS listed auction record) |
| MS67+ RD | $17,438 | GreatCollections, Jan 22, 2023 (Stewart Blay coin) |
A normal 1972 penny is worth one cent in circulated condition. Values checked Oct 8, 2026.
What to look for
- The doubling should be visible without magnification, strongest on the date and LIBERTY.
- No mint mark. 1972-D and 1972-S pennies are not this variety.
- Each doubled letter should look like two complete, rounded letters slightly offset.
Fakes and lookalikes
- Several minor 1972 doubled dies exist with much weaker doubling. They are worth far less than the FS-101.
- Machine doubling, which looks flat and smeared, is common on 1972 cents and adds no value.
- Counterfeits of the 1972 doubled die exist. Buy certified coins only.
Find the keepers in your coin jar
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FAQ
How do I know if my 1972 penny is a doubled die?
Look at the date and LIBERTY without a magnifier. If you can clearly see two outlines on every letter and number, it is worth a closer look by a dealer or grading service.
Is a 1972-D doubled die valuable?
The famous variety is the 1972 with no mint mark. A doubled look on a 1972-D is usually machine doubling.
What is a regular 1972 penny worth?
One cent if circulated. USA Coin Book lists a gem uncirculated red one at $1.24.
Related coins
Sources
- PCGS CoinFacts, 1972 1C Doubled Die Obverse
- Greysheet, 1972 doubled die cent
- USA Coin Book, 1972 doubled die obverse
- PCGS, Stewart Blay collection results at GreatCollections
- US Mint, final circulating cent strike
Values are retail estimates or recorded sale prices from the sources above, checked Oct 8, 2026. What a dealer pays you is usually less than retail.
Also available as Markdown.