1978 Lincoln Cent Errors: Value Guide & Rare Varieties
Complete guide to 1978 Lincoln cent errors and varieties. Identify DDO-001, RPM-001, wrong planchet strikes, off-center errors, and more. Verified auction values, step-by-step diagnostics, and expert authentication advice.
Most 1978 Lincoln cents are worth face value, but the right error or apex grade can mean four figures — a perfect MS67+ Red sold for $4,259 and a Wrong Planchet strike can reach $1,000+.
- 🔍 1978-P DDO-001 — Extra-thick letters in LIBERTY & TRUST; worth $10–$100 in MS Red
- 🔍 1978-D RPM-001 — Secondary "D" southwest of the primary mintmark; worth $8–$85 certified
- 🔍 Wrong Planchet (Dime Stock) — Silver-colored cent weighing ~2.27g; worth $700–$1,000+
- 🔍 Off-Center Strike (40–60%, dated) — Worth $50–$200+ with the date fully visible
⚠️ Warning: The "Floating Roof" reverse anomaly and Machine Doubling on letters are extremely common non-errors worth face value only — despite widespread online hype claiming otherwise.
1978 Lincoln Cent Errors Error Checker
Check your coin for valuable errors and varieties
Values shown are typical retail estimates as of TODO and reflect ranges for authenticated, properly graded examples.
The 1978 Lincoln Cent was produced in massive quantities (nearly 10 billion). Circulated examples without verified errors are worth face value only.
Machine Doubling (flat, shelf-like doubling) is extremely common on 1978 cents and is NOT a valuable error variety.
The 'Floating Roof' reverse anomaly is a die polishing artifact from die clash repair, not a recognized major variety by PCGS or NGC.
Error coin values vary significantly based on grade, eye appeal, and current market conditions. Professional authentication (PCGS/NGC) is recommended for coins estimated over $100.
Beware of plated counterfeits claiming to be wrong planchet errors. Always verify by weight: 3.11g is a normal copper cent, 2.27g suggests a possible dime planchet.
Do not use eBay 'Buy It Now' prices as value references. Use realized auction prices from Heritage Auctions or GreatCollections for accurate market data.
Pre-1982 copper cents have a melt value of approximately $0.02, which exceeds face value. However, melting U.S. coins is prohibited by federal law.
Nearly 10 billion 1978 Lincoln cents were minted across Philadelphia and Denver, yet a handful of specific errors and top-condition survivors can command thousands of dollars. This guide gives you the exact diagnostics to know in minutes whether your coin is pocket change or a genuine jackpot. See baseline values for all 1978 cents →
1978 Lincoln Cent: Specifications & Mintage
Before hunting for errors, you must know what a normal 1978 cent looks like. Any deviation from these specifications — especially weight and color — is your first clue that something unusual may be present.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Series | Lincoln Cent, Memorial Reverse (1959–2008) |
| Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Zinc — solid alloy, not plated like post-1982 cents |
| Weight | 3.11 g (flag anything below 2.98 g or above 3.24 g as a potential error) |
| Diameter | 19.00 mm, plain (smooth) edge |
| Philadelphia (P) | 5,558,605,000 struck — no "P" mintmark on 1978 cents |
| Denver (D) | 4,280,233,400 struck — "D" mintmark below date, hand-punched |
| San Francisco (S) | 3,127,781 struck — Proof only, sold in collector sets, never circulated |
| Intrinsic Metal Value | ~$0.02 — copper content exceeds face value, so millions were hoarded in rolls |
| Die Construction | Multiple-squeeze hubbing — the root cause of Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) varieties |
| Mintmark Method | Hand-punched into each working die — the root cause of Repunched Mintmark (RPM) varieties |
💡 The Ring Test
Drop your 1978 cent on a hard surface. A genuine copper coin rings with a clear, high-pitched tone. A post-1982 zinc cent makes a dull thud. This acoustic test is a fast first screen for wrong-planchet errors and counterfeits.
For standard (non-error) circulated and mint-state values, visit the full 1978 Lincoln Cent value guide.
1978 Lincoln Cent Quick Checks: Do You Have Something Valuable?
Run through these seven checks before spending time on detailed attribution. Three are genuine value opportunities; four are common traps that fool thousands of collectors every year.
Check 1 — 1978-P DDO-001: Extra-Thick Letters (Philadelphia only)
Obverse (front) of the coin — focus on the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the word "LIBERTY" under magnification of at least 10x.
Letters appear noticeably thicker and puffier than normal. The word "TRUST" looks elongated. A subtle notch or wedge shape appears on the lower-right leg of the letter "R" in TRUST. Stage B coins also show a die gouge (small dot) between "S" and "O" in "STATES OF" on the reverse.
Machine Doubling (MD) creates flat, shelf-like steps that reduce letter width — not the rounded, bulbous thickening of true DDO. Normal die wear makes letters mushy without the diagnostic notching on the "R."
Check 2 — 1978-D RPM-001: Ghost "D" to the Southwest (Denver only)
The "D" mintmark below the date on the front of the coin. Use a 10x–20x loupe (magnifying glass).
A second, slightly offset "D" impression visible to the southwest of the primary mintmark. The lower curve of the "D" may show split serifs (the small decorative strokes at letter ends). Fine die scratches in the field around the date also help confirm attribution.
Machine Doubling of the mintmark produces a flat, smeared shelf — not a true second impression. A single clean "D" with no underlying ghost is completely normal.
Check 3 — Wrong Planchet: Silver-Colored Cent (All Mints)
Overall color and weight. A genuine wrong planchet strike will appear silver or clad-colored instead of copper-brown.
Weight of approximately 2.27 g (not 3.11 g) — you must weigh it on a precise scale. The design runs off the edges because the dime planchet (17.9 mm) is smaller than the cent die (19.0 mm), leaving the full rim incomplete.
Plated fakes are extremely common. A plated coin still weighs ~3.11 g or more and has a full rim and full design. If your "silver" cent has a complete rim and weighs over 3.11 g — it is plated, not a wrong planchet.
⚠️ Common Traps — These Are NOT Errors
Trap — The "Floating Roof" (Die Polishing Artifact)
Reverse: The roof of the Lincoln Memorial appears detached from the columns beneath it.
Not a major error. The low-relief vertical lines connecting the roof to the columns are polished away when mint workers repair die clash damage with abrasives. PCGS and NGC do not certify this as a major variety for 1978.
Trap — Machine Doubling on Date or Motto
Date "1978" or motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" — a shelf-like secondary image alongside the main letters.
Machine Doubling (MD) occurs when a slightly loose die bounces or shifts after striking, shearing the metal surface. The secondary image is flat and step-like. This is mint-made damage — extremely common on 1978 cents — and has zero premium.
Trap — No Mintmark = Philadelphia, Not an Error
Below the date — nothing is there.
Completely normal. The Philadelphia Mint did not use a "P" mintmark on cents in 1978. All 5.5 billion coins from Philadelphia have no mintmark. Online listings hyping a "1978 No Mint Mark Rare Error" for thousands of dollars are predatory scams.
1978 Lincoln Cent Error Values: Complete Reference Table
All values below reflect authenticated, properly graded specimens based on verified auction records from Heritage Auctions, GreatCollections, and PCGS CoinFacts. Raw (uncertified) estimates are noted separately. Values for circulated brown examples assume no significant damage.
| Error / Variety Type | Designation | Mint | Rarity | Value Range | Top Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978-P DDO-001 | Class VI (Distended Hub) | P | Scarce | $10–$100 (MS RD) | — |
| 1978-D RPM-001 | D/D Southwest, CONECA RPM-001 | D | Common | $8–$85 (MS RD) | — |
| 1978-D RPM-002 | D/D, Wexler WRPM-002 | D | Minor | $1–$5 (any grade) | — |
| Wrong Planchet (Dime) | Mechanical Error | All | Rare | $700–$1,000+ | $1,000+ |
| Off-Center Strike | Mechanical Error | All | Scarce | $15–$200+ | — |
| Broadstrike | Mechanical Error | All | Common | $5–$50 | — |
| Clipped Planchet | Planchet Error | All | Common | $2–$90 | — |
| 1978-P MS67+ Red | Condition Rarity | P | Extreme | $1,000+ | $4,259 |
| 1978-S Proof PF70 DCAM | Condition Rarity | S | Extreme | $2–$10 (standard) | $4,313 |
Philadelphia (No Mintmark) Values
With 5.5 billion struck, circulated Philadelphia cents are worth face value. Uncirculated examples carry a small premium ($0.05–$1.00) because millions survive in hoarded rolls. The key variety to hunt is the DDO-001 — Class VI doubling that requires a loupe to confirm.
- Circulated (any grade, Brown): Face value
- MS63–MS64 Red: $0.10–$0.50 (common); DDO-001: $10–$20 raw, $30–$50 slabbed
- MS65 Red: $1–$5 (common); DDO-001: $30–$50 raw, $60–$100 slabbed
- MS67+ Red: Condition rarity — auction record $4,259
Grading cost (~$35) exceeds the return on most DDO-001 examples below MS66 Red. Submit only if you believe the grade reaches MS66+.
Denver (D) Values
Denver produced 4.28 billion cents in 1978, hand-punching the "D" mintmark into each working die. This manual process is the sole reason RPM varieties exist. The RPM-001 (D/D Southwest) is the most collected variety from this mint.
- Circulated Brown: Face value; RPM-001: $2–$5 raw
- MS63–MS64 Red: $0.05–$0.50 (common); RPM-001: $8–$15 raw, $25–$45 slabbed
- MS65 Red: $1–$3 (common); RPM-001: $20–$40 raw, $50–$85 slabbed
- RPM-002: $1–$5 any grade (minor variety, low demand)
San Francisco Proof Values
The 1978-S Proof (3,127,781 struck) was sold exclusively in collector Proof Sets. These coins have mirror-like reflective fields and frosted raised devices. They were never released into circulation. A Proof found in change came from a broken-up set — it is not a rare business-strike error.
- Standard PR65 DCAM (Deep Cameo): $2–$10
- PR68–PR69 DCAM: $15–$50
- PR70 DCAM (perfect grade): Auction record $4,313
"Cameo" (CAM) means frosted devices against reflective fields. "Deep Cameo" (DCAM) is the highest cameo designation, commanding significant premiums at top grades.
1978 Lincoln Cent Rare Errors: Detailed Identification Guide
The following errors and varieties have verified recognition by CONECA, Variety Vista, Wexler's DoubledDie.com, or major auction houses. Each entry includes the precise diagnostics you need to confirm — or rule out — a specimen.
1978-P DDO-001 — Class VI Distended Hub Doubling
Normal 1978 cent letters (left) vs. DDO-001 showing characteristically thickened, puffy letters in TRUST (right).
Origin & Background
The 1978-P DDO-001 is caused by Class VI (Distended Hub) Doubling — a process error that occurs between hub squeezes during die creation. To make a working die, a master hub is pressed into a steel die blank multiple times. Between squeezes, the die blank is annealed (heated and cooled) to soften the steel. If the annealing causes the steel to expand slightly, the second hub squeeze lands in a microscopically different position, producing extra thickness rather than a separated second image. This is fundamentally different from the dramatic rotational doubling of the famous 1955 DDO.
How to Identify
- Letters in "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" appear noticeably thicker and puffier than a normal 1978 cent — the spacing between letters is slightly reduced
- Letters in "TRUST" look elongated or bloated
- Key diagnostic: A subtle notch or wedge shape on the lower-right leg of the letter "R" in TRUST — this confirms it is not die wear or flow lines
- Stage B marker: A small die gouge (dot) between "S" and "O" of "STATES OF" on the reverse helps confirm attribution to this specific die
- Compare to attribution photos on Variety Vista DDOs for 1978 or Wexler's DoubledDie.com
Close-up of the notched lower-right leg of "R" in TRUST — the key diagnostic for DDO-001 attribution.
False Positives to Avoid
Machine Doubling (MD) is the #1 false positive on 1978 Philadelphia cents. MD creates a flat, step-like shelf that reduces the apparent width of letters — the opposite of true DDO, which thickens and widens. Die deterioration and flow lines (lines radiating outward toward the rim) are also common on high-volume 1978 strikes and look nothing like Class VI doubling up close.
Market Values
- • Circulated Brown: $1–$3 (grading fee exceeds value; sell raw)
- • MS63–MS64 Red, raw: $10–$20
- • MS63–MS64 Red, certified: $30–$50
- • MS65 Red, raw: $30–$50
- • MS65 Red, certified: $60–$100
Auction Record
No single definitive auction record verified in current research data. Market remains niche; certified MS65 RD examples are the most actively traded.
1978-D RPM-001 — D/D Southwest (CONECA RPM-001)
Normal 1978-D mintmark (left) vs. RPM-001 showing the secondary "D" impression to the southwest (right).
Origin & Background
In 1978, the Denver "D" mintmark was not part of the master hub — a mint employee stamped it into each individual working die by hand, using a mallet and a small steel punch. This manual process often required two or more strikes to achieve sufficient depth. If the punch shifted slightly between strikes, the first (shallower) impression and the second (deeper, final) impression landed in different spots — creating a Repunched Mintmark (RPM). The RPM-001 shows the underlying first punch to the southwest of the final mintmark.
How to Identify
- Use a 10x–20x loupe. Look southwest of the primary "D" mintmark for a secondary, slightly fainter "D" impression
- The lower curve of the "D" may show split serifs (the small finishing strokes at the end of letter curves appear doubled)
- Fine die scratches in the field area surrounding the date may also be present as die markers
- Compare to Variety Vista's 1978-D RPM listing and the RPM-001 specific page
False Positives to Avoid
Machine Doubling on the mintmark is not an RPM. MD creates a flat, sheared edge on the side of the mintmark with no true secondary punch impression. A genuine RPM shows a complete (if faint) second "D" shape, not just a smear or shelf.
Market Values
- • Circulated Brown: $2–$5 raw
- • MS63–MS64 Red, raw: $8–$15
- • MS63–MS64 Red, certified: $25–$45
- • MS65 Red, raw: $20–$40
- • MS65 Red, certified: $50–$85
1978-D RPM-002 — D/D (Wexler WRPM-002)
How to Identify
- Minor secondary punch visible on the "D" mintmark — less dramatic than RPM-001 but attributable through die markers
- Obverse marker: A short vertical die gouge between the lower "U" and "S" in TRUST
- Reverse marker: A die gouge dot between the last "S" in STATES and the "O" in OF — these specific markers confirm attribution to WRPM-002
- Reference: Wexler's attribution page for 1978-D RPMs
Market Values
- • All grades: $1–$5 raw (low demand; typically sold as a type coin to variety completists)
1978 Lincoln Cent Struck on Dime Planchet (Wrong Planchet Error)
Normal copper cent (left, 3.11 g, 19 mm) vs. cent struck on dime planchet (right, 2.27 g, design runs off edge at 17.9 mm).
What Happened
In 1978, Roosevelt dime planchets (blank discs) occasionally entered the Lincoln cent press — possibly due to a cross-contamination of the feeder bin. The cent dies struck the smaller dime planchet (17.9 mm diameter vs. the normal 19.0 mm cent die), causing the Lincoln design to spread beyond the edges of the smaller disc.
How to Identify
- Color: Silver or clad-colored throughout (not just on the surface)
- Weight: Must be approximately 2.27 g — the weight of a dime planchet. Weigh on a precise digital scale
- Design cutoff: The Lincoln portrait and lettering run off the edge of the coin because the planchet ran out of room — the rim will be incomplete or absent
- Mandatory step: Submit to PCGS or NGC for authentication. No legitimate buyer will pay four figures for an ungraded wrong planchet.
False Positives to Avoid
This is the most heavily counterfeited 1978 cent error. Fraudsters plate normal copper cents with zinc, nickel, or other metals to fake the silver appearance. A plated coin will still weigh 3.11 g or more (the plating adds weight), and will have a complete rim and full design — neither of which a genuine wrong planchet can have. If your "silver" 1978 cent weighs over 3.11 g or has a full rim, it is plated.
Market Values
- • Ungraded (raw): $300–$500 (selling ungraded is strongly discouraged)
- • Certified by PCGS or NGC: $700–$1,000+
1978 Lincoln Cent Off-Center Strike
1978 Lincoln cent off-center strike at approximately 50%, with the date "1978" still fully visible at lower left.
What Happened
The planchet feeder mechanism deposited the blank disc partially outside the retaining collar before the dies came together. The portion of the planchet not covered by the die received no impression, leaving a clean, flat, unstruck area — unlike post-mint damage which looks rough and irregular.
How to Identify
- One side of the coin has a clean, flat, blank surface — not scratched or damaged
- The design is shifted significantly to one side
- Most important: The date "1978" must be visible on the coin to confirm the year and maximize value
- Estimate the percentage off-center: 40–60% with a full date is the collector "sweet spot"
False Positives to Avoid
Post-mint damage from machinery, tools, or road surfaces can remove part of a coin's design but will show tool marks, scratches, and an irregular surface. A genuine off-center strike has a perfectly smooth, flat, unstruck blank area on the coin.
Market Values
- • 10–20% off-center, date visible: $15–$35 raw, $50–$80 certified
- • 40–60% off-center, date visible: $50–$100 raw, $125–$200+ certified
- • No date visible: Significantly less — year cannot be confirmed
1978 Lincoln Cent Broadstrike
Normal 1978 cent (left, 19 mm with full rim) alongside a broadstrike (right, expanded beyond 19 mm with no rim).
What Happened
The retaining collar — the cylindrical wall that surrounds the coin during striking and forms the rim — was missing or malfunctioning. Without the collar, metal spread freely outward when the dies came together, creating a coin wider than 19 mm with a smeared or absent rim.
How to Identify
- Measure the diameter: must exceed 19 mm
- The rim is absent or severely distorted
- The full design must still be present on both sides — if part of the design is missing, it is an off-center strike, not a broadstrike
False Positives to Avoid
"Dryer coins" — cents tumbled in a commercial clothes dryer — have a rolled-over rim and slightly reduced diameter from the rolling process. They show mushy details and heat damage, not the clean design spread of a broadstrike. These are post-mint damage with no numismatic value.
1978 Lincoln Cent Clipped Planchet
Clipped planchet with curved missing section (top, 12 o'clock) and weak opposite rim at 6 o'clock — the Blakesley Effect confirming authenticity.
What Happened
Coin blanks are punched from a continuous strip of metal. If the punch press overlaps a hole from the previous punch cycle, the resulting blank is missing a curved piece — the "clip." This happens before the coin is struck, so the clip is a genuine planchet defect, not post-mint damage.
How to Identify — The Blakesley Effect (Mandatory Test)
- Hold the coin with the clip at 12 o'clock
- Inspect the rim directly opposite — at 6 o'clock
- The rim at 6 o'clock must be weak, tapered, or washed out. This happens because the clip causes pressure loss in the rim-forming upsetting mill, and that pressure loss occurs symmetrically opposite the clip
- The clip edge should be smooth and curved (following the arc of the adjacent punch hole) — not angular or straight
False Positives to Avoid
Coins cut with wire cutters or pliers have sharp, angular, straight edges with visible tool marks. A genuine clip is always smoothly curved. If the rim opposite the clip is strong and sharp, the clip is almost certainly fake (post-mint damage).
Market Values
- • Small clip (<5%): $2–$5 raw
- • Large clip (15%+): $15–$30 raw, $60–$90 certified
1978 Lincoln Cent Traps: Common Misidentifications
These four "errors" flood online marketplaces and trigger thousands of grading service submissions every year. They are worth face value only. Knowing them saves you time and money.
⚠️ The "Floating Roof" — Die Polishing Artifact
On the reverse, the roof of the Lincoln Memorial appears to float above the columns with no vertical lines connecting them.
When two dies accidentally strike each other without a coin between them (a "die clash"), the dies are damaged. Mint workers polish the die face with abrasives to repair it. The vertical columns connecting the roof to the cornice are the lowest-relief elements on the die and are polished away first.
- PCGS and NGC explicitly do not certify this as a major variety for 1978
- Affects thousands of 1978 cents — it is not scarce
- The missing lines are due to die abrasion, not a hub defect
Normal Memorial reverse (left) with intact column lines vs. the "Floating Roof" die polish artifact (right) — not a certified variety.
Value: Face value to a few cents at most.
⚠️ Machine Doubling (MD) — Not a Doubled Die
The date "1978" or motto letters appear to have a flat, step-like secondary image underneath or to the side.
A slightly loose die shifts or bounces during retraction, shearing the freshly struck surface of the coin. This is a mechanical defect of the press — not the die — so it is classified as mint-made damage, not a variety.
- MD is flat and shelf-like — true DDO shows a rounded, bulbous secondary image
- MD reduces letter width; true DDO increases it
- MD has no notching on the "R" in TRUST — the DDO-001's key diagnostic
Machine Doubling (left): flat, shelf-like, reduces letter width. True DDO (right): rounded, thicker letters with notching.
Value: Face value only.
⚠️ Dryer Coins — Not a Broadstrike
Thick, rounded rim; mushy or worn-looking details; diameter may seem slightly altered.
A coin trapped in a commercial clothes dryer rolls on its edge against the drum for extended periods. The heat and friction upsett the rim metal inward, creating a thick, rolled appearance — sometimes mistaken for a collar error or broadstrike.
- Dryer coins are smaller in diameter (metal rolled inward), not larger
- Broadstrikes are wider than 19 mm with a clean, thin rim or no rim at all
- Dryer coins show mushy details and heat damage; broadstrikes have sharp design detail
Dryer coin (left): thick, rolled-in rim, mushy details, and smaller diameter from tumbling. Genuine broadstrike (right): design intact, no rim, diameter exceeds 19 mm.
Value: Face value only — post-mint damage.
⚠️ Plated "Silver" Cents — Not a Wrong Planchet
A 1978 cent with a silver or metallic-white appearance, claiming to be struck on a dime planchet.
Fraudsters electroplate normal copper 1978 cents with zinc, nickel, or other metals to mimic the appearance of a genuine wrong planchet strike. These are sold online for hundreds of dollars to unsuspecting buyers.
- Weigh it — a plated cent weighs ~3.11 g or more; a genuine wrong planchet weighs ~2.27 g
- A genuine wrong planchet has design running off the edges and an incomplete rim — if the rim is complete, it is plated
- Professional authentication (PCGS/NGC) is mandatory before any purchase
Value: Face value only if plated.
1978 Lincoln Cent Grading: Why Grade Matters More Than You Think
For the 1978 Lincoln Cent, grade is often the single biggest driver of value — more so than the variety itself. Because billions were struck and millions survived in hoarded rolls, a circulated or low-mint-state example is not rare. True rarity appears only at the apex of the grading scale.
- Circulated (Good through AU-58): Face value for common strikes; minor variety premium ($2–$5 raw) for attributed RPMs and DDOs
- MS60–MS63 Red: Small premium ($0.10–$1). Millions of hoarded rolls ensure heavy supply.
- MS64–MS65 Red: Moderate collector interest. DDO-001 and RPM-001 find their primary market here.
- MS66 Red: Meaningfully scarce. DDO-001 at MS66 RD would be a near-discovery-level coin.
- MS67+ Red: Condition rarity. The auction record for a normal 1978-P cent at MS67+ RD is $4,259 — proving that perfect preservation eclipses all but the most dramatic mechanical errors.
ℹ️ Color Designations Explained
Lincoln cents are graded for color: RD (Red) = 95%+ original mint luster preserved; RB (Red-Brown) = 5–94% red remaining; BN (Brown) = less than 5% red. Red commands the highest premium. Never clean a 1978 cent — cleaning permanently destroys the surface and eliminates any value premium.
1978 Lincoln Cent: When to Get It Professionally Authenticated
Professional grading by a top-tier service (PCGS, NGC, or ANACS) is not always necessary — but in specific situations it is mandatory. Here is when to submit and when to save your money.
Submit When:
- Wrong Planchet suspected: No legitimate buyer will pay $700+ for an ungraded coin. Authentication confirms the metallurgy is genuine and not plated. This is non-negotiable.
- Off-center strike (40%+ with full date): Certification at this value level ($100+) is cost-effective and increases buyer confidence.
- DDO-001 at MS66 Red or higher: Population at this level is near zero — if certified, value could spike significantly beyond current estimates.
- Any error estimated above $100: The grading fee and shipping costs are justified at this threshold.
Do NOT Submit When:
- DDO-001 or RPM-001 in circulated grade or below MS65 — grading cost (~$35+) exceeds the coin's value
- Broadstrikes or small clipped planchets — common errors that rarely justify certification cost
- Any coin you believe has Machine Doubling or the Floating Roof — these are not certifiable as major varieties
Approved Research & Attribution Sources
- Variety Vista (James Wiles) — Gold standard for photo-matching die markers; compare your coin to their attribution images before submitting
- Wexler's DoubledDie.com — Comprehensive RPM and DDO attribution database for Memorial cents
- PCGS CoinFacts — Population data (how many coins exist at each grade), auction records, and variety listings
- GreatCollections Auction Archive — Realized prices, not asking prices
- PCGS Auction Prices (1978-P) — Verified sale records
For in-person evaluation of potential major errors (wrong planchets, dramatic off-centers), seek dealers who are members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) or the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG). These organizations maintain ethical standards and can recommend PCGS/NGC submission when warranted.
1978 Lincoln Cent Errors: Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 1978 penny with no mintmark rare or valuable?
No. The Philadelphia Mint did not use a "P" mintmark on cents in 1978. All 5.5 billion coins from Philadelphia have no mintmark — it is completely normal. Online listings claiming a "1978 No Mint Mark Rare Error" worth hundreds or thousands of dollars are scams targeting uninformed buyers.
What is the "Floating Roof" on my 1978 penny?
The "Floating Roof" occurs when the low-relief vertical lines connecting the Memorial roof to the columns are polished away during die maintenance. It is a die polishing artifact — not a recognized major variety by PCGS or NGC — and is worth face value at most. Do not submit it for grading.
How do I tell the difference between Machine Doubling and a true Doubled Die (DDO)?
Machine Doubling (MD) creates a flat, shelf-like step that reduces letter width — the opposite of true DDO. True DDO (like the 1978-P DDO-001) shows rounded, thicker, puffier letters that appear wider than normal, often with a subtle notch at the corner of the letter "R" in TRUST. If your secondary image looks like a flat step shaved off the side of a letter, it is MD and worth nothing extra.
My 1978 penny looks silver — is it a wrong planchet error worth $1,000?
Almost certainly not. Plated fakes are extremely common. Weigh your coin on a precise digital scale: a genuine wrong planchet (struck on a dime blank) weighs approximately 2.27 g. A plated cent still weighs 3.11 g or more. Also check the rim — a genuine wrong planchet has design running off the edges and an incomplete rim; a plated coin has a full, complete rim. Do not buy or sell this type of coin without PCGS or NGC authentication.
How do I verify a clipped planchet is genuine?
Use the Blakesley Effect test. Hold the coin with the clip at 12 o'clock and inspect the rim directly opposite at 6 o'clock. On a genuine clipped planchet, the rim at 6 o'clock must be weak, tapered, or absent — because pressure loss from the clip propagates through the upsetting mill. If the rim opposite the clip is strong and sharp, the clip was made with a tool after the coin was struck (post-mint damage, worth nothing).
What is the most valuable 1978 Lincoln cent ever sold?
The highest verified auction records come from condition rarities, not error coins: a perfect 1978-P graded MS67+ RD sold for $4,259, and a 1978-S Proof graded PR70 DCAM sold for $4,313. This demonstrates that for the 1978 cent, perfect preservation is often rarer — and more valuable — than variety attribution.
Should I clean my 1978 cent before grading it?
Never. Cleaning a coin — even with a soft cloth — leaves microscopic hairline scratches that grading services detect under magnification. Cleaned coins receive a "Details" grade (e.g., "MS65 RD Details — Cleaned") which eliminates the premium value entirely. Always submit coins in the exact condition you found them.
Where should I look up realized auction prices for 1978 cents?
Use PCGS Auction Prices (pcgs.com), GreatCollections Auction Archive, and Heritage Auctions (ha.com) — all show realized prices (what coins actually sold for). Do not use eBay "Buy It Now" prices as a value reference — asking price does not equal market value, and many listings are grossly overpriced or fraudulent.
Research Methodology & Sources
All values, diagnostics, mintage figures, and auction records in this guide are sourced exclusively from the following authoritative references:
- PCGS CoinFacts — 1978-P Lincoln Cent (mintage, population, values)
- PCGS CoinFacts — 1978-S DCAM Proof (Proof mintage & auction record)
- PCGS Auction Prices — 1978 Lincoln Cent MS (realized auction data)
- Variety Vista — 1978 DDOs (James Wiles) (DDO-001 attribution & diagnostics)
- Variety Vista — 1978-D RPMs (RPM attribution)
- Wexler's DoubledDie.com — Memorial Cent DDOs (CONECA attribution data)
- GreatCollections Auction Archive — 1978 Lincoln Cent (error market prices)
- NGC Coin Explorer — 1978-S Proof Lincoln Cent (Proof reference data)
Values are estimates based on the most recent available auction records at time of research. Coin markets fluctuate; always verify current realized prices before buying or selling.
A note on images: To help illustrate coin diagnostics and rare varieties — especially complex errors that are difficult to describe in text alone — this guide uses AI-generated images. All written values, diagnostics, and variety attributions have been manually reviewed against the cited sources above. While our editorial team works to ensure every image is accurate and helpful, AI-generated illustrations may occasionally misrepresent fine details. If you spot any discrepancy between an image and its written description, please contact us or leave a comment below — we review all feedback and correct errors promptly. Numismatic knowledge is a community effort, and your input helps us build a more accurate resource for everyone.
