Rare 2004 Penny Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are you looking to collect 2004 Lincoln pennies? Are Lincoln pennies worth collecting in the first place? The answer is yes! As our 2004 penny errors list will reveal, with the right strategy, you can build a high-value Lincoln penny collection.

Generally, Lincoln pennies are only worth their face value. In 2004, the United States Mint produced billions of Lincoln pennies, making these coins extremely common, thereby suppressing their numismatic value. Even in their uncirculated condition, 2004 Lincoln pennies are extremely common and worth more or less their face value.

That said, you can still build a high-value Lincoln pennies collection and one way to do this is by collecting error coins. Error coins can be worth hundreds and even thousands, if you know what to look for.

In our 2004 penny errors list you will discover unique errors worth money. Add these to your collection and you’ll have an enviable Lincoln penny set. So, without further ado, let’s jump in and discover 2004 penny errors worth collecting.

1. 2004-D MS66 Broad-Struck Lincoln Cent Error

One of the errors that comes up in the 2004 Lincoln pennies series is the broad-struck. This is an error in which the coin has a larger than usual diameter and thinner edges but all the details on the obverse and reverse remain intact.

Ideally, the planchet should sit squarely in the collar before the die strikes. The collar defines the coin’s diameter and thickness, ensuring the final coin retains its shape.

Sometimes, the planchet may not fully sit inside the planchet, due to technical or human errors. When the die comes down, the portion of the planchet sitting outside the collar is struck, resulting in disproportionate expansion and a thinner than usual edge.

A broad-struck error is certainly a dramatic error and unsurprisingly, collectors are willing to pay good money for it. For example, in 2007 a collector on eBay paid a whopping $1,200 for a 2004-D broad-struck penny graded MS66, making this one of the most valuable penny errors to add to your collection.

Also read: 11 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Errors

 

2. 2004-D MS65 Lincoln cent Struck-Through GREASE Reverse Error

The next error we’ll look at is the struck-through grease error. This is an error in which a foreign element, in this case, grease, comes between the die and planchet, leaving its impression on the final coin.

Examples of common stray elements that can enter the striking hub include hair strands, cloth, strings, metal or wood chaffs just to mention a few. When these elements are struck, they might eventually fall off the planchet but sometimes they will attach to the planchet resulting in a retained struck-through error.

The more dramatic a struck-through error is, the more valuable it tends to be. All in all, this error will fetch good money, especially if the coin is uncirculated. For example, Heritage Auctions sold a 2004-D MS65 Lincoln cent with a struck-through grease error on the reverse for an impressive $835—this would certainly make an excellent addition to your collection.

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3. 2004-D MS64 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent Error

Another error you might come across when collecting 2004 Lincoln pennies is the doubled die obverse. This common error occurs when the die strikes the planchet multiple times at slightly different angles.

When the die strikes the angle at slightly different angles this may result in visible doubling on the inscriptions and devices—this is known as a doubled die error. Doubling may occur on the obverse or reverse side of the coin.

As a general rule, the more intense the doubling, the more valuable the error tends to be. In 2010, a collector on eBay paid a record $980 for a 2004-D Lincoln penny graded MS64 with an obverse Lincoln cent error.

 

4. 2004-D MS65 Lincoln Penny Error Raised Feeder Finger Lines Error

When collecting 2004 Lincoln pennies, you might also come across an interesting error known as feeder finger lines. This error appears like lateral lines on the obverse or reverse of the coin’s surface.

Feeder finger errors occur when the feeder finger is struck against the planchet, leaving scratch-like marks on the coin. Ideally when the feeder fingers position the planchet in the collar they retract automatically but automatic retraction may fail due to technical faults.

When the feeder fingers fail to retract automatically, they may get struck between the die and planchet, leaving visible lateral lines on the final coin.

Coins with more visible feeder finger errors will generally be worth more than those where the error is subtle. In 2021, the Heritage Auctions sold a 2004-D Lincoln penny graded MS65 with feeder finger errors on the obverse for $800, making this another excellent error to add to your collection.

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money

 

5. 2004-D MS64 Lincoln Cent Die Crack Error

As the name suggests, a die crack is an error that occurs when the die surface develops cracks or seizures, which often happens due to normal wear and tear. As the die continues working, tiny metal shavings will fill the seizures.

Eventually, the metal-filled cracks will leave their impression on one or more planchets. On the final coin, a die crack error will appear like a raised lateral or vertical crack on the obverse or reverse of the coin.

Larger, peculiar-looking die cracks are usually more valuable than smaller ones. For example, in 2006 the Great Collections auctioned a 2004-D Lincoln cent graded MS64 with obverse and reverse die crack errors for a whopping $520.

 

6. 2004-P MS63 Lincoln Memorial Penny Lamination Error

When collecting 2004 Lincoln pennies you might come across coins with a bubbly appearance on the obverse or reverse. The coin might also show signs of peeling or cracking on the surface—this might be attributed to a lamination error.

During the planchet-making process, several layers of the metal alloys are applied to the copper core resulting in a coin with several laminated layers over a copper core. Impurities in the alloy can weaken the bond between the laminated layers and also between the layers and copper core.

Due to the weakening bonds, signs such as bubbling, cracking and peeling may occur on the coin’s surface. This is an example of a lamination error.

The value of a lamination error largely depends on the extent of delamination—the more extensive the delamination, the more valuable the error tends to be. In 2008, Heritage Auctions sold a 2004-P Lincoln cent graded MS63 with a bubbling and cracking lamination error for a record $430.

 

7. 2004-P MS65 Lincoln Cent Partial Collar Error

The next error we’ll look at is the partial collar, which can be worth a premium. A partial collar error occurs when the planchet doesn’t fully sit inside the collar or sits in a slant and is eventually struck in this position.

The collar helps to define the planchet’s shape, thickness and edges. If the planchet doesn’t sit in the collar properly and the die strikes while the planchet is in this position, the collar might impress its edges around the planchet, resulting in the appearance of steps around the planchet’s edge when viewed from the side.

Basically, a partial collar error is the appearance of a step-like impression around the coin’s edge. In 2020, the Great Collection sold a 2004-P Lincoln cent graded MS65 with a partial collar error for an impressive $910.

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money

 

8. 2004-P MS65 Lincoln Memorial Penny Off Center Error

One of the most interesting errors you might encounter in the 2004 Lincoln series is the off-center error. As the name implies, this is an error in which the design on the coin is struck more toward the edge and further away from the coin’s center.

An off-center error occurs when the die and planchet are misaligned. Ideally when the die and planchet are aligned, the design on the obverse and reverse will be struck at the center.

On the contrary, any slight misalignment can cause a shift, resulting in the die striking the planchet more toward its edge than the center, resulting in an off-center error.

The value of an off-center error largely depends on the percentage of the off-center strike. The larger the percentage of off-ness, the more valuable the error tends to be. For example, a penny with a 55 percent off-center error will generally be worth more than one with a 10 percent off-center error.

In 2023, the Great Collection sold a 2004-P MS65 Lincoln penny with a 30 percent off-center error for a record $1040, making this one of the most valuable penny errors to add to your collection.

 

9. 2004-P MS63 Lincoln Memorial Penny With A Misaligned Die Error

A misaligned die error is quite similar to the off-center error but there are some slight differences between these two errors. The misaligned die error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies are out of alignment, causing a shift in the position of the designs on one or both sides of the coin.

Usually, when the dies are aligned, the designs on both sides will be centered, upright and balanced on the coin. However, even the slightest misalignment will shift the designs’ position, resulting in a misaligned rotated die error.

A misaligned rotated die error will show the design on either side rotated at an angle relative to the design on the other side. For example, the obverse design on your penny might be rotated at a 45-degree angle relative to the reverse design, which may (or may not) be in its upright position.

Generally, the greater the misalignment, the more valuable the error tends to be. For example, in 2008, a collector paid $715 for a 2004-P Lincoln penny graded MS63 with a misaligned die error.

Also read: 12 Most Valuable Lincoln Penny Worth Money

 

Summary

If you are looking to build a high-value Lincoln penny set, collecting errors is the way to go. As our 2004 penny errors list shows, errors can be worth a fortune if you know what to look for. We recommend collecting uncirculated errors as these will deliver greater value for money. Happy collecting!