2009 Formative Years Pennies Yield Many Errors

The Famous "Skeletal Finger" Doubled Die Error, 2009-P Lincoln Cent Reverse Side, CDDR-009/WDDR-006.

“The Famous Skeleton Finger Reverse” CDDR-009/WDDR-006 

2009 Lincoln Cent Errors

By James A. Porter

I’ve had a lot of fun compiling a photo and descriptive collection of MOST of the (100+) 2009 P Formative Years Lincoln Cent errors this year, what a plethora of informatiion!  I have found many varieties of errors listed by Crawford, Wexler, CONECA, Coppercoins and the rest, by buying individual coins and U.S. Mint LP2 Boxes from sellers on EBAY and elsewhere on the WEB.   I have also made a list of errors associated with certain date, time and lot numbers marked on the ends of U.S. Mint boxes (LP2), and by asking some of the nice people I’ve bought from if they’ve opened any boxes, and which ones yielded the errors.     

    It’s really fascinating to me tracking the evolution of the error types CDDR-001 to WDDR-100+.
I don’t understand why PCGS and other grading companies are turning down a TON of business by not certifying/grading these sometimes rare varieties.  I think that these Lincoln Cent errors are the most significant and visible doubled die errors since the 1955 Lincoln Cent Doubled Die!   

1955 Doubled Die

Some error coins show less delineation in the strike, and I figured these coins are early or later states of that particular die and error.  I’ve found a few unattributed as of yet, I figure Wexler and Crawford and the rest have grown weary because of the sheer number of errors!  

I have been selling these 2009 P Lincoln Cent “Formative Years” error coins on eBAY for about 12 months now, and they seem to be gaining in popularity still, even though the newer issues, the “Professional Life” and “President in Washington” issues are already becoming more available, despite lower mintages.  

You just can’t seem to find these Philadelphia Mint errors  out here in the West.  Banks don’t have them, and with coin store premiums, prices are about $100.00 for a $25.00 box of “FY” 2009 P bank-wrapped rolls of pennies.  

It has become confusing for buyers on eBAY because the listings of error cents are sometimes by Crawford, sometimes by Wexler numbers. Its ok when we’re talking about CDDR-003 and WDDR-003, because they are the same coin;  But when we are looking for a “Skeleton Finger” CDDR-009/WDDR-006, its easy to get the error numbers transposed when ordering, and end up with the wrong coin being delivered.  More errors are still being discovered, it makes one wonder what was going on in the Philadelphia Mint this year? Apparently, the Denver Mint experienced NO doubled die reverses that have so far been reported, compared to the 100+ different 2009 Philadelphia Mint FY Reverse doubled die error varieties!  

And on the other hand,  

Apparently there are some collectors who believe that the Formative Years Series Errors are a humbug.  Others believe that it is either the result of active imaginations or hallucinations motivated by the power of the almighty buck, of which many thousands of dollars each day are exchanging hands on eBAY.   

CDDR-005 / WDDR-011

CDDR-003 / WDDR-003

 The subtleties in the different Doubled Die Errors can cause difficulty in recognizing which one of the 100+ known Double Die Errors it is.  I mean, can you tell me if this is a CDDR-003 or a WDDR-011?  The two are remarkably similar, and many such instances occur over the series of 100+ errors classified so far.