1972 Lincoln Cent — PCGS MS-65 RD | Doubled Die Obverse | Gem Mint State Red | Famous US Variety

1972 Lincoln Cent — PCGS Certified MS-65 RD | Gem Mint State | Doubled Die Obverse | Famous 20th Century US Variety

One of the most celebrated varieties in modern American numismatics — the 1972 Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Obverse — certified by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and graded MS-65 RD (Gem Mint State, Red). This coin retains full original mint red lustre with a gem-quality strike and surfaces, and displays the dramatic doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date 1972 that is clearly visible to the naked eye. The 1972 DDO is the premier doubled die of the Lincoln Memorial cent series and one of the most recognized and collected US coin varieties of the 20th century.

Certification Details

• Country: United States
• Year: 1972
• Denomination: 1 Cent
• Grade: MS-65 RD (Gem Mint State, Red)
• Comments: Doubled Die Obverse
• Certification No.: 2950.65/46116980
• Certifying Body: PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)

Coin Specifications

• Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Zinc
• Diameter: 19.05 mm
• Weight: 3.11 g
• Edge: Plain
• Obverse Designer: Victor David Brenner / Frank Gasparro (Lincoln portrait)
• Reverse Designer: Frank Gasparro (Lincoln Memorial design)
• Mint: Philadelphia Mint (no mintmark)

The Variety: Doubled Die Obverse

The 1972 Doubled Die Obverse is produced by a manufacturing error in the die-making process, not during the striking of individual coins. During hubbing — the process of pressing the design into a working die — the die receives multiple impressions from the hub. If the die shifts between impressions, a doubled die results: every coin struck from that die will carry the doubled image as a permanent feature of the design.

On the 1972 DDO, the doubling is dramatic and easily visible to the naked eye, appearing across all the obverse inscriptions — IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date 1972 all show strong, widely separated doubling. This is not subtle machine doubling or die deterioration; it is true hub doubling, confirmed by PCGS directly on the certification label. The 1972 DDO is catalogued as WDDO-001 in the Cherrypickers’ Guide and is the most significant and recognizable doubled die of the Lincoln Memorial cent series (1959–2008).

Design

The obverse features the right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln based on a 1907 plaque by Victor David Brenner, with IN GOD WE TRUST above, LIBERTY to the left, and the date 1972 to the right — all showing the dramatic doubling of this variety. The reverse features Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial design, in use from 1959 through 2008, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and ONE CENT.

Why This Coin Belongs in Your Collection

The 1972 Doubled Die Obverse is one of those rare coins where numismatic history, dramatic visual appeal, and strong collector demand converge in a single piece. A gem MS-65 RD example — blazing with full original red lustre and certified by PCGS — represents the finest-quality presentation of this landmark variety. Whether you collect US doubled dies, Lincoln cents, or simply the most visually spectacular and historically significant American coins available, this PCGS MS-65 RD 1972 DDO is an exceptional and compelling acquisition.

Encapsulated in an original PCGS sealed holder. Tampering with the holder invalidates the certification opinion. Have holder replaced if inner package/seal is not intact.

The PCGS-certified coin shown is the exact coin you will receive. Guaranteed authentic.