1959 Lincoln Memorial Cent with doubled die obverse on 'TRUST'

The Lincoln Memorial Cent was introduced in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, replacing the wheat ears reverse design that had been used since 1909. The new reverse featured the Lincoln Memorial building in Washington, D.C., designed by Frank Gasparro. Doubled die varieties occur when the die used to strike coins receives a doubled impression during the hubbing process, creating a visible doubling effect on letters, numbers, or design elements. The 1959 penny holds special appeal for error coin collectors and variety hunters who seek out doubled die specimens. Doubled die Lincoln cents are highly sought after by numismatists specializing in mint errors and varieties, particularly when the doubling is clearly visible on prominent features like the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST'. These coins command premium prices over standard examples, especially in uncirculated condition, making them valuable finds for collectors building error coin collections or specialized Lincoln cent variety sets. The visibility and location of the doubling significantly impact collector interest and market value.