Rare 2003 Penny Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are 2003 pennies worth collecting? Are 2003 Lincoln pennies rare? These questions are probably at the top of your mind if you are considering adding 2003 pennies to your collection. The good news is that with our 2003 penny errors list you can build a high-value Lincoln penny collection.

The United States Mint produced close to six billion 2003 pennies, making this the most common dates in the Lincoln pennies series. With so many of these coins in circulation, you can expect 2003 Lincoln pennies to be only worth their face value. Examples graded MS68 to MS70 are also readily available and are some of the most affordable in the Lincoln pennies series.

So, with all this in mind, are 2003 pennies really worth collecting? The answer is, yes! With the right strategy, you can build an enviable collection of high-value Lincoln pennies. One of the most rewarding strategies is collecting errors, some of which can be worth hundreds or even thousands!

Our 2003 penny errors list will reveal some of the most valuable penny errors to add to your collection. So, if you have ever wanted to own a penny error worth hundreds or thousands, read on for all the details on what you should look out for!

1. 2003-S MS65 Lincoln Penny Misaligned Die Error

One of the errors you might come across when collecting 2003 pennies is the misaligned die. As the name implies, this is an error in which the obverse and reverse dies are misaligned resulting in an off-center design on one side while the other side of the coin has a normal, centered design.

If you come across a coin with a shifted rim, offset design on either side of the coin, or distorted inscriptions, you are likely looking at a misaligned die error. The more dramatic the misalignment, the more valuable the error tends to be.

In 2012, a 2003-S Lincoln penny graded MS65 with a misaligned error was sold at Stack’s Bowers Galleries for $685, making this a worthwhile addition to your collection.

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2. 2003-P MS65 Lincoln Penny Filled Die Error

Another error that comes up in the 2003 pennies series is the filled die. This error occurs when anything from grease, dust or tiny metal chaffs fills part of the die, causing these filled in parts to create a weak impression on the planchet. Sometimes, the debris can clog the die so much so that the coin misses some of the details.

On Lincoln pennies, the date or some letters in the word LIBERTY are usually the most common culprits due to a filled in die. You will notice that these elements of the coin are either incomplete or just weak.

At a 2017 David Lawrence Rare Coins auction, a collector paid an impressive $850 for a 2003-P Lincoln penny graded MS65 with a filled die error.

Also read: 12 Most Valuable Lincoln Penny Worth Money

 

3. 2003-D MS64 Lincoln Penny Broad-strike Error

The next error on our 2003 penny errors list is the broad-strike, also known as a broad-struck. This error occurs when the collar, which holds the coin in place during striking, doesn’t work properly or is entirely missing

An absent or malfunctioning collar causes the coin to spread outward, resulting in a larger, thinner planchet with a deformed rim. If you come across a coin with an irregular shape or size, it is likely a broad-struck, one of the most dramatic and sought-after errors in the 2003 Lincoln pennies series.

So, how much can you expect from a broad-strike error. Well, as mentioned, this error can be worth a premium—take for example a Great Collections auction in 2018, which sold a 2003-D Lincoln penny graded MS64 with a broad-strike error for $925.

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4. 2003-P MS66 Lincoln Penny Partial Collar Strike Error

The next error we’ll look at in the 2003 pennies series is the partial collar strike. This error happens when the planchet is not fully seated in the collar during the strike.

When the collar is not properly positioned in the collar, which can happen due technical or human error, the planchet’s edge may appear flattened or uneven. Also, when you view the coin from the side, you might notice visible ridges.

A partial collar strike error can be quite dramatic and is often worth a premium. For example, in 2021, a collector on eBay paid a whopping $410 for a 2003-P penny graded MS66 with a partial collar error.

 

5. 2003-D MS63 Lincoln Penny Machine Doubling Error

Another error that comes up in the 2003 penny errors series is the machine doubling. Collectors sometimes confuse this error with a similar one known as a doubled die error, although there are notable differences between the two.

A machine doubling error occurs when the die or planchet shifts slightly during striking. This results in a flat, shelf-like doubling of the devices and inscriptions on either side of the coin.

Admittedly, a machine doubling is generally less valuable than a doubled die, but collectors still find this error as quite interesting, with some paying good money for it. For example, in 2015, a collector at Heritage Auctions paid $295 for a 2003-D Lincoln penny graded MS63 with a reverse machine doubling error.

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money

 

6. 2003-S MS64 Lincoln Penny Weak Strike Error

The next one in our 2003 penny errors list is the die adjustment. This error occurs when mint workers improperly adjust the die resulting in the die applying insufficient pressure on the planchet during the minting process.

If you come across a coin with weak or incomplete details, it is probably due to a die adjustment error. In the case of pennies, you might notice a weak strike on high spots such as Lincoln’s hair or the steps of the Memorial.

The weakness of the strike will typically vary in severity. Usually, the weaker the strike or if a larger portion of the coin’s design elements is missing, the more valuable the error tends to be.

In 2020, a bidder at a Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction paid $340 for a 2003-S Lincoln penny graded MS64 with an obverse die adjustment error, making this another nice addition to your collection.

 

7. 2003-P MS63 Lincoln Penny Reverse Die Clash Error

Next, we’ll look at another interesting error that comes up when collecting 2003 pennies—die clash error.

As the name implies, this error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a coin between them. The sheer pressure and force of striking against each other causes the dies to transfer their design element onto each other die.

With such an error coin, you might notice a subtle image of Lincoln’s profile on the reverse side of the coin and a weak outline of the Memorial on the obverse side.

As you might expect, this fascinating error can be worth a premium. For example, in 2016, a collector at a Great Collections auctions paid a record $1215 for a 2003-P Lincoln penny graded MS63 with a reverse die clash error, making this a standout error worth adding to your collection.

 

8. 2003-D MS63 Lincoln Penny Wrong Planchet Error

Another error you might encounter when collecting 2004 Lincoln cents is the wrong planchet.  This error occurs when a penny is struck on a planchet that was intended for a different denomination, such as a dime or even a planchet meant for a foreign coin.

There is no agreement among collectors whether these rare coins are a result of genuine human error or whether they are accidental occurrences. All in all, a wrong planchet error can be quite a valuable addition to your collection and is definitely worth pursuing. What’s more, collectors are often willing to pay handsomely for this error.

In 2018, for example, a collector at a Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction paid an eye-watering $1400 for a, 2003-D Lincoln penny graded MS63 that was struck on a dime planchet.

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money

 

9. 2003-D MS64 Lincoln Penny Off-Center Strike Error

Another dramatic error in the 2003 pennies series is the off-center strike. This error occurs when the planchet and die are misaligned during the striking process, causing the design to be struck away from the center and more toward the edge.

It is common for part of the coin’s design to be cut off due to an off-center strike error. The coin may also have a partial rim due to the offset.

Generally, the value of an off-center strike error will depend on the severity of the off-set, with more severe off-center strikes commanding higher premiums.

In 2017, a collector at Heritage Auctions paid $680 for a 2003-D Lincoln penny graded MS64 with a 30% off-center strike error, making this an excellent addition to your Lincoln pennies collection.

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Summary

Although billions  of 2003 pennies circulate the market, you can still build a valuable collection with unique and profitable pennies. Collecting fascinating penny errors is the way to go—as our 2003 penny errors list has revealed, minting errors can transform ordinary pennies into gems worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Now that you know what to look for, nothing’s stopping you from hunting for high-value 2003 penny errors to add to your collection!