Rare 2014 Penny Errors Worth Money (Full List With Pictures)

A 2014-D Lincoln penny with a lamination error sold for $455 at Heritage Auctions in 2016, graded MS65. That kind of money from a one-cent coin gets your attention fast.

This 2014 penny error list covers 11 known minting mistakes worth anywhere from $7 to $455. Here is what to look for and what each error actually sells for.

1. 2014 Penny BIE Variety Error (Up to $15)

The BIE variety is a die crack error unique to Lincoln cents. A vertical crack develops in the die between the letters “B” and “E” in “LIBERTY,” and when struck, the crack fills with metal to produce a raised line that resembles a capital letter “I.”

The result looks like the coin reads “LIBIERTY” instead of “LIBERTY.” This error exists across many Lincoln cent dates, and 2014 is no exception.

BIE varieties are popular among die crack collectors who build complete date runs of this specific error type.

Value: No individual 2014 BIE penny has a verified major auction record. These typically sell for $7 to $15 depending on the coin’s overall condition and how prominent the raised “I” appears. Larger, more defined crack lines command the higher end of the range. BIE pennies are collected more for completeness than investment, making them an affordable entry point into error collecting.

How to Identify: Examine the word “LIBERTY” on the obverse with a 10x loupe. Look for a raised vertical line between the “B” and “E” that resembles a capital “I.” The line should be raised above the field, not incused, because it was formed by metal filling a die crack during striking. The “I” will appear slightly irregular and may connect to the adjacent letters at the top, bottom, or both. Machine scratches or post-mint damage will not produce this characteristic vertical line in this exact location. Other die cracks near LIBERTY that do not form a clear “I” shape are classified as ordinary die cracks rather than BIE varieties. The fastest confirmation is a clean raised vertical line between B and E that reads as a recognizable letter.

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2. 2014 Penny Struck Through Grease Error (Up to $50)

Grease or lubricant from the coining press accumulates on the die face and blocks metal from filling the design cavities during striking. The affected area appears flat, mushy, or completely blank on the finished coin.

On 2014 pennies, grease fills most commonly affect Lincoln’s hair detail, the shield on the reverse, or the lettering in “LIBERTY.” Heavy fills that obliterate major design elements are the only ones that attract real collector interest.

Light grease fills are extremely common on modern zinc cents. Minor softness on a few letters is barely worth a second look.

Value: No specific 2014 penny grease strike-through has a verified major auction record. Minor examples with softened lettering sell for $3 to $10 on eBay. Heavy fills that erase most of Lincoln’s portrait or the entire reverse shield can reach $30 to $50 in uncirculated condition. The value tracks directly with how much original design is missing from the finished coin.

How to Identify: Look for areas where design details appear soft or completely absent with a smooth surface underneath. Under 10x magnification, genuine grease fills show a gradual transition from sharp detail into blankness rather than a hard edge. Check both sides — grease fills typically affect one side only because only one die had the buildup. If both sides look uniformly weak, you probably have a weak strike instead. Weigh the coin to confirm the standard 2.50 grams for copper-plated zinc. Do not confuse grease fills with zinc rot, which is white powdery corrosion caused by moisture and is worth nothing. The fastest confirmation is tilting the coin under bright light — grease fills show a smooth surface in the blank area, while corrosion looks pitted.

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3. 2014 Penny Retained Die Crack Error (Up to $100)

A retained die crack forms when a section of the die’s striking surface cracks and sinks below the surrounding face without fully breaking away. The sunken piece still participates in striking but leaves a raised, irregular impression on the finished coin.

This differs from a standard die crack, which produces a thin raised line. Retained cracks create broader distortions because a whole section of the die face has shifted.

The size and location of the retained area determine value — larger cracks near Lincoln’s portrait bring the strongest premiums.

Value: A collector at an online auction paid $100 for a 2014-P Lincoln penny graded MS65 with a retained die crack on the obverse in 2017. That is the benchmark sale for this error on 2014 pennies. Standard die cracks without the retained component sell for $5 to $25. Retained cracks that visibly distort major design elements near Lincoln’s face or along prominent inscriptions bring $50 to $100 in mint state.

How to Identify: Look for a raised area on the coin that follows an irregular path and distorts the adjacent design rather than forming a simple thin line. Under magnification, you should see a clear boundary where the sunken die section created a step or ridge in the coin’s surface. The raised area will have a texture consistent with the coin’s original struck finish. Compare against images of standard die cracks — a retained crack is broader and more disruptive to the surrounding design. Post-mint dents create depressed areas, not raised ones. Do not confuse retained die cracks with die chips, which are isolated bumps rather than linear distortions. The fastest confirmation is a raised linear distortion that clearly displaces the intended design along its path.

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4. 2014 Penny Die Chip Error (Up to $115)

A die chip occurs when a small fragment breaks away from the die’s striking surface, leaving a tiny cavity in the steel. Metal fills this cavity during striking, producing a raised bump on the finished coin that is not part of the original design.

Multiple chips can appear on a single coin as the die wears. Common locations on 2014 pennies include inside letter loops, near Lincoln’s eye, and along the shield stripes on the reverse.

Larger chips in prominent locations are worth more than small ones buried in low-traffic areas of the design.

Value: A collector at an online auction held in 2019 paid $115 for a 2014-P Lincoln penny graded MS61 with die chip errors on both obverse and reverse. Smaller single die chips sell for $5 to $30 depending on size, location, and visual prominence. Chips that land directly on Lincoln’s face or in the center of a major inscription bring premiums above $50. Multiple chips on the same coin can increase the total value.

How to Identify: Look for raised, irregular bumps on the coin’s surface that do not correspond to any part of the intended design. Under 10x magnification, a genuine die chip has a smooth, rounded surface that blends naturally with the surrounding metal. Die chips are small — typically pinhead to a few millimeters across. Do not confuse them with plating blisters, which are extremely common on copper-plated zinc cents and look similar but are caused by gas trapped under the plating during manufacture. Plating blisters often have a hollow feel and may show copper-colored zinc underneath if the blister breaks. The fastest way to distinguish a die chip from a plating blister is checking whether the bump is solid struck metal or a thin hollow bubble in the copper plating.

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5. 2014 Penny Struck Through Foreign Object Error (Up to $200)

A struck-through error occurs when a foreign object — wire, cloth fiber, metal shaving, or other debris — gets caught between the die and planchet at the moment of striking. The die presses the object into the coin’s surface, leaving an impression of whatever was trapped in the press.

Sometimes the object stays embedded in the coin, creating a retained struck-through. Other times it falls away, leaving only the indentation.

Clear, identifiable impressions of recognizable objects bring higher prices than vague dents.

Value: Heritage Auctions sold a 2014-D Lincoln penny graded MS62 with a struck-through error for $200 in 2014. General market values range from $25 to $200, depending on how dramatic and identifiable the impression is. Retained examples where the foreign material remains embedded bring the highest prices. Larger impressions that affect prominent design areas on the obverse are the most desirable.

How to Identify: Look for an indentation or embedded object on the coin’s surface that does not match any part of the intended design. The impression may show a recognizable pattern — cloth weave, wire shape, or other texture. Under magnification, the surrounding metal should show displacement around the impression, with the normal design disrupted. The impression will be incused into the struck surface rather than sitting on top of it. Check that design elements around the impression are properly struck, confirming normal minting occurred. Post-mint contact marks are shallower and do not disrupt adjacent struck features. Do not confuse struck-throughs with plating damage on zinc cents, which can create irregular surface textures. The fastest confirmation is whether the impression cuts into the struck design or sits on top — into means genuine, on top means post-mint.

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6. 2014 Penny Off-Center Strike Error (Up to $235)

An off-center strike occurs when the planchet is not fully seated in the collar before the dies close. The die hits the blank away from center, producing a coin with a blank crescent of unstruck metal on one side and the design shifted toward the opposite edge.

The shift percentage directly determines value. A 25% off-center penny — one quarter blank — is more valuable than a 5% shift, but the date must remain visible for top dollar.

Pennies struck so far off-center that the date disappears lose most of their premium.

Value: GreatCollections auctioned a 2014-P Lincoln penny graded MS63 with a 25% off-center strike for $235 in 2020. That is the strongest verified sale for this error on a 2014 penny. Minor shifts of 5 to 10% sell for $10 to $30. Moderate shifts of 15 to 30% with visible dates bring $50 to $235. Coins with 40 to 60% off-center and readable dates can exceed $200 if the visual impact is dramatic.

How to Identify: The blank crescent of unstruck metal is the defining feature. Hold the coin next to a normally struck penny to estimate the shift percentage. The rim will appear only on the struck portion and be absent from the blank crescent — this asymmetric rim is a key diagnostic. Check that both obverse and reverse are shifted in the same direction by the same amount. If only one side appears off-center, you likely have a misaligned die rather than a true off-center strike. Verify the date is readable on the struck portion, as this is essential for value. Weigh the coin to confirm the standard 2.50 grams. The fastest confirmation is the blank crescent combined with an asymmetric rim on one side only.

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7. 2014 Penny Broadstrike Error (Up to $285)

A broadstrike occurs when the retaining collar — the ring that defines the coin’s diameter — is missing or displaced during striking. Without the collar’s constraint, the planchet spreads outward under full die pressure, producing a coin wider than its normal 19.05 mm diameter.

The full design still appears on both sides because the dies struck squarely. But the metal flowed beyond the intended boundary, creating a visibly oversized coin with a soft, undefined edge.

Lincoln pennies have a plain edge, so the reeding diagnostic used on dimes and quarters does not apply here.

Value: A collector on eBay paid $285 for a 2014-D Lincoln Shield penny graded MS60 with a broadstrike error in 2016. That remains the top recorded sale for this error on 2014 pennies. Minor broadstrikes showing only slight diameter increase sell for $30 to $80. Substantial broadstrikes where the coin is obviously oversized with full design on both sides bring $150 to $285 depending on grade and spread.

How to Identify: Measure the coin with calipers. A standard Lincoln penny is 19.05 mm in diameter, and any reading above that supports a broadstrike diagnosis. The edge will appear softer and less defined than normal because the collar was absent during striking. Weigh the coin to confirm the standard 2.50 grams, ruling out a wrong-planchet error. Compare directly against a normal penny for the clearest visual confirmation of the size difference. Since pennies have a plain edge, diameter is the primary diagnostic rather than edge characteristics. Do not confuse broadstrikes with dryer coins, which tumble smooth but remain at or below normal diameter. The fastest test is diameter — broadstrikes are always larger than 19.05 mm, dryer coins never are.

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8. 2014 Penny Doubled Die Obverse FS-101 Error (Up to $300)

The 2014-P FS-101 is the most significant doubled die variety for this date, cataloged as WDDO-003 by Wexler and DDO-003 by CONECA. The hub impressed the die with slight misalignment between passes, creating visible doubling on the obverse design elements.

The strongest doubling appears as extra thickness on “LIBERTY” and the date digits, with lighter doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST.” This variety exists only on Philadelphia-mint coins — no mint mark on the obverse.

Machine doubling is extremely common on 2014 pennies and looks completely different from this genuine doubled die.

Value: A 2014-P FS-101 DDO graded MS64 sold for $228, the highest verified individual sale. Market estimates place MS65 Red examples at $300 or more based on comparable modern Lincoln cent doubled die sales. Raw, unattributed examples sell for $5 to $20 in circulated grades. Professional attribution by PCGS or NGC significantly increases resale value — graded examples outsell raw coins by a wide margin.

How to Identify: Use 10x to 20x magnification on the obverse and focus on “LIBERTY” first. The T and Y should show clear extra thickness on the letter serifs — the small cross-strokes at the ends of letters. Check the date for strong doubling on all four digits. Light doubling should also be visible on “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The doubling must be raised and rounded, adding volume to the affected elements. Machine doubling — flat, shelf-like steps that shear metal away — is rampant on 2014 pennies and is worth nothing. Also watch for plating blisters that can mimic doubling on zinc cents. Compare your coin against diagnostic images on Wexler’s WDDO-003 page. The fastest test is checking the T and Y serifs in “LIBERTY” for extra thickness that adds width rather than creating a flat step.

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9. 2014 Penny Feeder Finger Error (Up to $310)

The feeder finger is a mechanical arm on the coining press that positions blank planchets into the collar before the dies strike. It is supposed to retract before impact, but when it malfunctions, the finger scratches across the planchet under full striking pressure.

The resulting marks look like abstract scratches stamped into the coin during minting. That mechanical origin under die pressure separates them from ordinary handling scratches.

Feeder finger errors are uncommon on modern cents because the blanking and feeding process is highly automated.

Value: GreatCollections auctioned a 2014-P Lincoln penny graded MS64 with a feeder finger error for $310 in 2015. That is the strongest sale for this error on a 2014 penny. General values range from $50 to $310 depending on how prominent the scratch pattern is and whether it crosses major design elements. Examples where feeder marks cut across Lincoln’s portrait command the strongest premiums.

How to Identify: Look for linear scratch marks that run in parallel or semi-parallel lines across the coin’s surface. Under 10x magnification, genuine feeder finger marks show raised metal along the scratch edges — the metal was displaced by pressure during striking rather than removed by abrasion. Post-mint scratches show removed metal with no raised edges, which is the critical difference. The marks should appear at consistent depth across both raised design elements and recessed fields. Check that the scratch pattern has a consistent direction and spacing suggesting a mechanical arm rather than random handling. Do not confuse feeder finger marks with roller marks from the planchet strip, which are finer and more uniformly distributed. The fastest confirmation is looking for raised burrs along the scratch edges — metal pushed aside means a minting error.

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10. 2014 Penny Die Clash Error (Up to $320)

A die clash occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them. The force transfers a ghost-like impression of each die’s design onto the opposing die face.

When the next planchet is struck by these damaged dies, the coin shows faint traces of the reverse design on the obverse and vice versa. On 2014 pennies, you might see a ghostly outline of the shield behind Lincoln’s portrait.

Stronger clash marks — visible to the naked eye — are worth several times more than faint ones requiring magnification.

Value: Heritage Auctions sold a 2014-D Lincoln penny graded MS60 with a die clash obverse error for $320 in 2015. That remains the highest recorded sale for this error on a 2014 penny. Minor clashes visible only under magnification sell for $20 to $60. Moderate clashes with transferred design visible to the naked eye bring $100 to $320 depending on how clearly the ghost image can be identified.

How to Identify: Examine the fields — the flat areas between design elements — for faint outlines or impressions that do not belong on that side of the coin. On the obverse, look for ghost traces of the reverse shield design in the field behind Lincoln’s portrait. On the reverse, look for a faint outline of Lincoln’s bust superimposed over the shield. Use a strong angled light source and tilt the coin slowly to make clash marks more visible against the field. The transferred impressions will appear as shallow marks in the field rather than raised elements. Do not confuse die clashes with die deterioration doubling, which produces mushy lettering rather than a transferred design. The fastest test is spotting a recognizable element from one side appearing as a ghost impression on the other.

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11. 2014 Penny Lamination Error (Up to $455)

Lamination errors on modern Lincoln cents occur when the thin copper plating separates from the zinc core due to contaminants, gas pockets, or bonding failures during the plating process. The plating can crack, bubble, lift, or peel away entirely, exposing the gray zinc core beneath.

This is distinct from plating blisters, which are small, common, and generally worthless. True lamination errors involve significant separation where the copper layer detaches from the zinc in substantial flaps or missing areas.

Retained flaps — where the peeled copper is still partially attached — are the most dramatic and valuable.

Value: Heritage Auctions sold a 2014-D Lincoln penny graded MS65 with a defective planchet lamination error for $455 in 2016. That is the highest confirmed sale for any 2014 penny error. Smaller lamination flaps or cracks sell for $30 to $100. Large peels with retained copper flaps exposing significant zinc core area, especially on the obverse, bring $200 to $455 depending on drama and grade.

How to Identify: Look for areas where the copper plating has cracked, lifted, or peeled away from the zinc core beneath. The exposed zinc appears gray or silver-white compared to the copper surface. Under magnification, you should see a clear separation line where the plating detached from the core. The surrounding design should be normally struck. Weigh the coin — if material has peeled away, it may read slightly below 2.50 grams. The critical distinction is between lamination errors and plating blisters. Plating blisters are tiny, hollow bubbles in the copper plating caused by trapped gas — they are extremely common on zinc cents and worth nothing. Lamination errors involve substantial separation of the plating from the core. The fastest confirmation is the size and severity of the separation — a blister is pinhead-sized and hollow, a lamination involves visible flaps or missing plating over a significant area.

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Conclusion

The 2014 Lincoln penny error market ranges from $7 for a BIE variety to $455 for a dramatic lamination error at Heritage Auctions. The attributed DDO FS-101 at $228 to $300 and the die clash at $320 provide solid mid-range targets for collectors.

A 10x loupe is the essential screening tool for 2014 pennies — check LIBERTY for BIE cracks and doubled die serifs first, then inspect the fields for die clash ghosts. Weigh anything that looks unusual.