Rare 2005 Penny Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are you interested in collecting Lincoln pennies and are curious how much they are worth? Are 2005 pennies worth collecting? Are 2005 pennies rare? Our 2005 penny errors list will reveal everything you need to know about collecting high-value Lincoln pennies. 

The United States Mint first produced Lincoln cents in 1909. To date, millions of pennies circulate the market, making these coins only worth their face value. Uncirculated pennies are not rare either—you can easily find specimen graded MS60 to MS65 at an affordable price. That said, gem-quality examples graded MS68 and above can be rare and may sometimes be worth a premium.

If you are eager to build a high-value pennies collection, you should consider collecting error coins. Unlike normal circulated or uncirculated coins, penny errors can be worth a fortune. These specimens spot a peculiar minting error that makes them stand out from the millions of pennies the U.S. Mint has produced so far.

So, whether you are a hobbyist or veteran collector, collecting pennies can pay off handsomely if you know what to look for. Our 2005 penny errors list will reveal just that—Lincoln pennies worth adding to your collection.

Let’s get started!

1. 2005-P MS65 Lincoln Cent Missing Plating Layer Error

An error you might come across when collecting 2005 pennies is the missing plating error, also known as a missing clad error. As the name implies, this is an error in which the upper copper layer on the coin is absent.

A missing clad layer can happen when the upper copper layer peels, bubbles, or cracks due to a weak bond between the layer and copper core. The upper layer may peel off on one or both sides of the coin, exposing the inner copper core.

This error can be worth a premium especially in uncirculated condition. For example, a collector at a 2020 Heritage Auctions sale paid an impressive $710 for a 2005-P Lincoln cent graded MS65 with a missing plating layer error on the obverse. This would certainly be an excellent addition to your collection.

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Also read: 11 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Errors

 

2. 2005-D MS64 Lincoln Penny Doubled Die Reverse

Another common error you might encounter in the 2005 Lincoln cent series is the doubled die. This is an error in which the coin shows visible doubling on the devices and/or inscriptions.

A doubled die error occurs when the die strikes the planchet at slightly different angles multiple times. This causes an overlapping on the devices and sometimes the inscriptions, including the mint mark and year.

In addition to the coin’s condition, the intensity of the doubling really contributes to the coin’s value. Coins with stronger doubling will generally be more valuable than ones where the doubling is only subtle.

In 2023, the Great Collections sold a 2005-D Lincoln penny graded MS64 with a doubled die reverse error for a whopping $625, making this a nice addition to your high-value Lincoln penny set.

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3. 2005-P MS63 Lincoln Memorial Penny with Strike Through Error

The next error we will look at is the strike-through, which also appears in the 2005 penny series. This error occurs when a stray object comes between the die and planchet, leaving its impression on the coin’s surface.

Anything from grease, paper, cloth, a strand of hair, a piece of metal, dust or a speck of wood can land on the planchet during the minting process. When the die strikes, the object will leave its impression on the planchet and eventually fall off. Sometime, though, stray items may cling onto the planchet, resulting in a retained strike-through error.

Larger, more dramatic strike-through errors are usually more valuable. For example, in 2021 a collector at a Heritage Auctions sale paid $830 for a grease struck-through obverse error on a 2005-P MS63 Lincoln penny.

Also read: 12 Most Valuable Lincoln Penny Worth Money

 

4. 2005-D MS65 Penny Broad-Struck Error

Another error on our list is the broad struck-through, also known as a strike-through error. This is an error in which the planchet is struck outside the collar resulting in a coin with a larger than usual diameter and a thinner edge.

The collar helps retain the planchet’s shape and define its diameter. Sometimes though, the planchet may fail to sit fully and squarely in the collar, resulting in a portion of the planchet being struck outside the collar.

Unlike an off-center strike, a broad-strike coin will usually have all its details intact. This is definitely one of the most dramatic penny errors and is worth adding to your collection.

In 2023, a collector on eBay paid an impressive $916 for a 2005-D penny graded MS65 with a broad-struck error. This error might be rare but it is worth the search as it can make a big difference to the value of your penny collection.

 

5. 2005-P MS63 Lincoln Memorial Penny Reverse Die Crack Error

The next error on our 2005 penny errors list is the die crack. As the name suggests, this error appears like a crack on the coin’s surface.

A die crack error occurs when a crack appears on the die’s surface. The die may crack due to wear and tear or from a fall that can result in one or more cracks.

The crack on the die gradually fills with small metal pieces as the die is put to use. Eventually, the die crack will leave its impression on one or more planchets, resulting in an error that appears like a raised crack on the coin’s obverse or reverse side.

Dramatic, large, or odd die cracks are generally more valuable than smaller and subtle ones. In 2022, a collector on eBay paid $700 for a 2005-P Lincoln penny graded MS63 with a relatively large reverse die crack error.

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6. 2005-D MS66 Lincoln Penny Flip-Over Double Struck Error

The next error we will talk about is the flip-over double struck, a rare one, but you can still come across it in the 2005 penny series.

As the name implies, a double struck is an error in which the die strikes the planchet twice. This error occurs when the planchet fails to exit the striking hub, resulting in the die striking it two or more times.

A planchet with a double-struck error will have two Lincoln portraits on the obverse. The inscriptions and other design elements may also appear twice on the same side of the coin. To be sure, a double-struck error can also occur on the coin’s reverse.

Sometimes, the coin may exit the striking hub partially, flip-over and re-enter the hub resulting in a flip-over double struck error.

On such a coin, the hammer die will strike the coin’s reverse and the anvil the obverse, resulting in a coin in which the obverse design is struck side by side with the reverse design and vice versa.

Admittedly, a flip-over double struck error is quite dramatic and for this reason can be worth a premium. For example, at a 2021 Heritage Auctions sale, a collector paid $1,200 for a 2005-D Lincoln penny graded MS66 with a flip-over double struck error.

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money

 

7. 2005-D Lincoln Memorial Cent With Brokage Error

Another error that comes up in the 2005 pennies series is the brokage. This error results from another error known as a die cap, which we will first start by describing before explaining what a brokage error is.

A die cap occurs when a planchet attaches itself to the die instead of exiting the striking hub. The reverse side of the attached planchet then becomes the new die face, striking the incoming planchets.

The incoming planchets will therefore have a weak reverse strike on the obverse after being struck by the attached planchet. On the reverse, the strike from the anvil die will be much stronger. Eventually, you will have a coin with two reverse designs, one weaker than the other—this is known as a brokage error.

So, how much can you expect from a brokage penny? Well, depending on the coin’s condition, such an error can fetch a premium. For example, in 2022, the Great Collections sold a 2005-D Lincoln penny graded MS64 with a brokage error for a whopping $1010, making this an excellent addition to your collection.

 

8. 2005-D Lincoln Penny Rotated Misaligned Die Error

Next up on our 2005 penny errors list is the rotated misaligned die error. This is an error in which the obverse and reverse dies are out of alignment due to technical or human faults.

Ideally, when the reverse and obverse dies are aligned, they strike their respective designs upright and at the center. When a misalignment occurs though, there’ll be a noticeable offset between the obverse and reverse designs.

In the case of a rotated misaligned die error, you will notice that the obverse design, for example, is rotated at an angle relative to the reverse design or vice versa. While the reverse design might be upright and centered, the obverse might be rotated at any angle, whether that’s 20, 30, 45, 90 or even 180 degrees.

The more dramatic the rotation or misalignment, the more valuable the error usually is. In 2023, a collector on eBay paid an impressive $1030 for a 2005-D MS66 Lincoln penny with a rotated misaligned die error.

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money

 

Summary

Lincoln pennies are popular but they are only worth their face value. Even when uncirculated, examples may be worth more or less the face value. That said, with the right strategy, such as collecting errors, you can stack up a valuable collection of Lincoln pennies. As our 2005 penny errors list shows, errors can be worth a premium and a game-changing addition to your collection, as long as you know what to look for. And, now that you know, what are you waiting for? Happy collecting!