How rare is this error?

Question

I found a penny in circulation that seems to have been an error coin.

It's a post-1982 penny, but there is no trace of the date. The copper is intact where the date would have been. On the obverse, several features on Lincoln's face are completely absent, such as the eyes, and some of the air lines. The rest of the features and the rim are intact, and there is not enough wear anywhere to expose the zinc underneath.

On the reverse, it's similar. The center of the Lincoln memorial shows up as a faint trace, and much of the "United States of America" at the top is missing. Other features and the rim are in fairly good condition.

Additionally, there are very thin parallel lines on both sides. I'm thinking those are roller marks that were left because of a soft strike.

I would like to know how rare this sort of error is and what it might be worth. Does the fact that there is absolutely no trace of a date increase its value?

Answer 1

KEEP IT. OR SELL IT.

Answer 2

Wow that's pretty amazing! That probably happened because the machine ran out of copper and you got the last penny of the batch. But that's just my guess. Either way, you should definetely get that valued, because it should be worth something. However I wouldn't sell it if I were you. It'd be something cool you could show to your kids.

Answer 3

It is not uncommon for a coin to have been struck by a die with grease on it, so that the design is not all there when struck. It is so so common to have both dies have grease on them but it is not impossible. No rollers are used so that did not make the lines. The turned up rims are already put on the blank before being struck. A blank with rims then becomes a planchet. No one here can really help you with out seeing both sides of the coin. It is very easy to fake error coins or at least try too. A dealer or even better a couple of them need to be seen for then they can see it. I can't do any more for you without seeing it myself.

Answer 4

wow i want that penny. sorta creepy. go to the bank and ask if its worth any more than a real penny. i would pay a lot if 100 other people would pay over 10 dollars which prob wont happen. amazing penny tho. keep it.