Do you want to boost the value of your Lincoln penny collection? A good place to start is collecting penny errors.

Generally, Lincoln pennies are only worth their face value of $0.05 to $0.10 in circulated condition. The Mint has produced these coins in the billions since 1909, so pennies are extremely common even in uncirculated condition.

But, as our 2016 penny error list will reveal, errors can be worth hundreds or thousands, making them a valuable addition to your collection. If you know what to look for, a few error coins can significantly increase the value of your Lincoln penny collection.

So, which penny errors are worth paying attention to? Our 2016 penny errors list will reveal everything you need to know about 2016 penny errors worth money.

Let’s jump in and get started!

1. 2016-P MS62 Lincoln Penny Broad Struck Error

2016-P MS62 Lincoln Penny Broad Struck Error

One of the most dramatic errors you might come across when collecting 2016 penny errors is the broad struck.

A broad struck is an error that occurs when the die strikes the planchet outside of the collar. The collar is a holding ring that helps define the planchet’s diameter and holds the blank coin in place during the striking process.

If the planchet is not squarely positioned within the collar, the die might end up striking a portion of the planchet’s edge, therefore extending its diameter more than the normal size.

For a coin to qualify as a broad-struck error, all the details on the obverse and reverse must be present and not missing.

A 2016-P Lincoln penny graded MS62 with a broad-struck error was auctioned for $200 at a Heritage Auctions sale in 2017.

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2. 2016-P MS64 Lincoln Shield Penny Lamination Error

2016-P MS64 Lincoln Shield Penny Lamination Error

Lamination errors occur during the planchet-making process. Sometimes impurities may contaminate the melted metal used to make planchets.

After the planchets are molded and shaped into blanks and eventually coins, the minted coin may start peeling due to the underlying impurities. This results in a lamination error where the penny’s surface appears spotty due to the peeled layers.

A collector on eBay paid $100 for a 2016-P MS64 Lincoln penny with a lamination error appearing on both the obverse and reverse sides of the coin.

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3. 2016-D MS60 Lincoln Penny Misplaced Mint Mark Error

As the name suggests, a misplaced mint mark error is one where the mint mark is struck outside of its usual position on the coin. This probably happens as a result of a die being accidently dropped onto the planchet.

A misplaced mint mark error is generally rare, making this a nice addition to your collection. It is even better if you can find one in uncirculated condition.

When collecting 2016 Lincoln pennies, pay attention to the ones minted in Denver (with a D mint mark). You might come across a specimen with a misplaced mint mark error.

In 2020 the Great Collections Auction sold a 2016-D Lincoln penny graded MS60 and with a misplaced mint mark error for an impressive $415.

 

4. 2016-D MS65 Lincoln Penny With Die Crack Reverse Error

2016-D MS65 Lincoln Penny With Die Crack Reverse Error

Another common error seen in the 2016 Lincoln penny series is the die crack. As you might guess from the name, this error results from a crack on the surface of the hammer or anvil die.

Cracks can appear if the die is worn out or experiences excess pressure and heat exertion during striking. If the die continues to be put to use, the crack may fill with metal and the impression of the metal-filled crack may be transferred onto the coin’s surface.

A die crack appears like a line or typical crack on the obverse or reverse of the coin. Do not confuse this with a lamination crack where the actual metal that makes up the coin cracks; a die crack is only an impression of the crack on the die’s surface.

A 2016-D penny graded MS65 with a die crack reverse error was sold for $130 at a 2019 online auction, making this a valuable addition to your Lincoln collection.

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5. 2016-P MS63 Lincoln Penny Clad Error

2016-P MS63 Lincoln Penny Clad Error

 Lincoln pennies are clad coins consisting of a copper-plated zinc core. Clad coins can sometimes experience peeling when the upper layer doesn’t properly adhere to the core metal during the planchet-making process.

A penny with a clad error may have an upper copper layer on one side and an exposed zinc core on the other, resulting in an interesting and rather dramatic-looking coin.

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In 2019, Heritage Auctions sold a 2016-P MS63 Lincoln penny with a clad error for $110.

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6. 2016-P MS60 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny Error

2016-P MS60 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny Error

Another common error you will come across when collecting 2016 Lincoln pennies is the doubled die. This error occurs when the hammer or anvil die strikes the planchet multiple times at slightly different angles. This results in the design and inscriptions showing visible doubling or overlapping, also known as a doubled die.

This error is so common, you can easily add it to your Lincoln collection. That said, the more intense the doubling, the more valuable the coin tends to be, although the coin’s condition will also play a role in determining its value.

A 2016-P Lincoln penny graded MS60 with a doubled die error on the obverse and reverse was sold for $80 at a 2020 online auction.

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7. 2016-P MS65 Lincoln Shield Off-Center Error

2016-P MS65 Lincoln Shield Off-Center Error

Sometimes, the planchet may not sit squarely in its holding collar or the die and planchet may be improperly aligned. This can result in a minting error known as an off-center error.

Due to the misalignment, the die may strike the obverse or reverse design away from the center. The error’s value will depend on how far away from the center the design is struck—the further away from the center, the more valuable the error tends to be.

For example, a 30% off-center error is typically more valuable than a 3% off-center error. In 2017, a 2016-P Lincoln penny graded MS65 with a 15% off-center error was sold for $125 at a Heritage Auctions sale.

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8. 2016-P MS64 Lincoln Cent Die Clash Error

A die clash error occurs when the hammer and anvil die hit against each other at great pressure. This results in the obverse die impressing its design onto the reverse die and/or vice versa.

Eventually, when the dies strike a planchet placed between them, the final coin comes out with a ghost image of the reverse design on the obverse of the coin and vice versa.

A 2016-P Lincoln cent graded MS64 with a die clash error was sold for $160 at an online auction in 2020.

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9. 2016-D MS60 Partial Collar Lincoln Penny Error

Ideally, during minting the coin should sit squarely in the collar but this doesn’t always happen.

Sometimes, the planchet may only be partially positioned inside the collar, causing the collar to leave a line around the coin’s edge, resulting in a partial collar Lincoln penny error.

You may see some referring to the railroad rim error, which is also a type of partial collar error occurring on reeded coins.

Lincoln pennies have a smooth edge so the line formed by the partial collar will be equally smooth. How much a partial collar penny is worth depends on the visibility of the line made by the collar. The more intense or visible the line, the more valuable the coin tends to be.

A 2016-D Lincoln penny graded MS60 with a partial collar error was auctioned for an impressive $315 at a 2019 Great Collections auction.

 

10. 2016-D MS62 Lincoln Penny Rim Cud Error

2016-D MS62 Lincoln Penny Rim Cud Error

When collecting 2016 Lincoln pennies, you might come across an example with a bump along the coin’s circumference. This is likely a rim cud error.

Rim cud errors occurs when a piece falls off the edge of the die, leaving a black space that is eventually filled with metal. When the die strikes the planchet, the metal-filled space leaves an impression resulting in a coin with a raised rim or bump along the rim, also known as a rim cud.

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Generally, the larger the rim cud, the more valuable the coin will be. So how much is a 2016 Lincoln penny with a rim cud error worth? Well, one graded MS62 was sold at a Heritage Auctions sale in 2017 for $85. Factors such as the coin’s condition will definitely play a role in determining the coin’s overall value.

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11. 2016 P Lincoln Cent Grease Strike-Through Error

As the name suggests, a strike-through is an error that occurs when an object is accidentally struck between the dies and planchet. Such an object can be anything from grease, dust and other debris.

When the die strikes, the foreign object leaves its impression on the final coin. In case of a grease struck-through error, the oil may obstruct the die from completely transferring the design and inscriptions onto the planchet.

A coin with a grease struck-through error will typically have some incomplete, blurry, or smooth spots that would typically have inscriptions or devices on a normal coin.

 

Summary

Lincoln pennies are some of the most fun to collect; they are affordable and easily accessible, making it easy to build an enviable collection. But, if you want to elevate the value of your collection, adding errors is a smart choice. As our 2016 penny errors list reveals, Lincoln pennies or cents with errors can be a valuable addition to your collection, especially those rare gems found in high grades.  This is your cue to start now if you have been considering collecting Lincoln penny errors. Happy collecting!

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