1969-S 1C Doubled Die, FS-101, RB MS(PCGS#37995)

1969-S 1C Doubled Die, FS-101, RB MS (PCGS#37995)

June 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: An attractive, premium quality example of this iconic 20th century rarity. The surfaces retain more than 50% of the mint color in a vivid pinkish-orange hue, both sides with subtle olive-brown iridescence that is a bit more pronounced on the obverse. The strike is sharp, the texture frosty, and both sides reveal only trivial marks and faint spots to confirm the assigned numeric grade.The 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse is an extremely desirable variety, having an estimated population of 50 to 60 pieces based on combined certification service statistics. Our estimate may be somewhat liberal, as the experts at PCGS CoinFacts opine "about 30 known." The doubling on this variety is very dramatic, fully matching the spectacular appearance of the well known 1955 and 1972 Doubled Die Obverse varieties, but in the case of the 1969-S, perhaps 100 times rarer. Quoting from Fivaz and Stanton's Cherrypickers' Guide (2015): "The publicity this coin has received over its lifetime has been enormous, hence the very high values, which are well deserved." According to Breen, the variety was independently reported by two collectors in June and July of 1970. The present offering represents a fleeting bidding opportunity for a coin that will serve as a highlight in an advanced Lincoln cent collection.