Rare 2017 Penny Errors Worth Money (Full List With Pictures)

A PCGS-certified 2017-P Lincoln cent struck on the wrong bronze planchet sold through GreatCollections, with comparable wrong planchet cents reaching $2,000 or more at auction. This 2017 penny errors guide covers 14 error types worth $5 to $2,000+, including four varieties that most guides miss entirely.

Here is how to identify each one and what collectors actually pay.

1. 2017 Penny BIE Die Break Error (Up to $25)

A BIE die break is specific to Lincoln cents. A vertical die crack develops between the B and E in LIBERTY, and when the planchet fills that crack during striking, a raised vertical bar appears between the two letters — looking exactly like a capital letter I sitting where no letter belongs.

The name literally describes what you see: B-I-E. These cracks form from die fatigue after millions of high-pressure strikes, and they appear on pennies from the 1950s through modern issues including 2017-P and 2017-D.

Value: BIE varieties on modern Lincoln cents trade between $5 and $15 in circulated grades. Clean, well-defined examples on uncirculated 2017-P or 2017-D pennies can reach $20 to $25.

No major auction house has featured a 2017 BIE at headline prices, but the steady eBay market moves these at predictable premiums. The P mint mark adds collector interest since 2017 was the only year Philadelphia marked cents.

How to Identify: Examine the word LIBERTY on the obverse under 5x magnification. Between the B and E, look for a raised vertical line roughly the same height as the surrounding letters.

The line should be raised above the field surface, not scratched into it. A genuine BIE is a die crack, so it will appear as a solid, rounded ridge of metal.

Post-mint scratches in the same area will look incuse and sharp-edged rather than raised and rounded. Check that the vertical bar is roughly centered between B and E, matching known BIE positions.

The fastest confirmation is a raised vertical bar between B and E that matches the height and thickness of adjacent letter strokes.

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2. 2017 Penny Fat Y Hub Doubling Error (Up to $40)

The Fat Y is a hub-level doubling variety exclusive to 2017-P Lincoln cents. Two flawed Working Hubs — designated WWHO-001 and WWHO-002 by Wexler — produced working dies where the left arm of the Y in LIBERTY appears noticeably thicker than the right arm.

Because the defect originated in the hub rather than an individual die, it was replicated across many working dies and potentially millions of struck coins. That mass production is exactly why the Fat Y adds only modest value despite being a genuine doubled variety.

Value: Raw Fat Y specimens trade for $2 to $5, making them one of the cheapest authenticated doubled varieties on any modern coin. PCGS or NGC certified examples in MS65 RD or higher reach $25 to $40.

The variety is listed in Wexler’s catalog, and certified examples carry the WWHO attribution on the label. Volume keeps prices low, but certification creates a clear floor.

How to Identify: Focus your 10x loupe on the Y in LIBERTY. Compare the thickness of the left upper arm to the right upper arm — on a Fat Y, the left arm is visibly wider and bolder.

This is not machine doubling — machine doubling produces flat, shelf-like distortion, while the Fat Y shows a genuinely thicker stroke that is part of the die’s design. The thickening should be consistent and smooth, not ragged or uneven.

Check multiple letters in LIBERTY for secondary hub doubling markers, particularly on the crossbar of the T. If only the Y shows thickening, compare against WWHO-001 and WWHO-002 reference images on Wexler’s site.

The fastest confirmation is a measurably thicker left arm on the Y with smooth, struck-surface texture matching the surrounding design.

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3. 2017 Penny Die Chip Error (Up to $111)

Die chips form when a small fragment of the die surface breaks away, leaving a void in the steel. During subsequent strikes, planchet metal fills that void and produces a small raised bump or blob on the finished coin.

These are among the most common die errors on modern zinc cents because the copper-plated zinc composition accelerates die wear. The 2017 series produced enough die chips that multiple-chip specimens — coins carrying three or more chips — became a subcategory collectors track separately.

Value: A 2017-D MS60 Lincoln cent with multiple die chip errors on both obverse and reverse sold for $111 at Heritage Auctions in 2018. Single die chips on 2017 pennies typically trade for $10 to $50 on eBay.

The number, size, and location of chips determine pricing. A chip on Lincoln’s face commands more than one hiding in the field near the rim.

How to Identify: Scan the entire coin surface under 5x magnification, looking for small raised lumps that do not belong to the original design. Die chips appear as irregular blobs with rounded surfaces that match the coin’s luster.

A genuine die chip is raised and solid — not hollow, discolored, or rough-textured. Compare the suspected chip against the same area on a normal 2017 penny to confirm it is an addition rather than normal design relief.

Post-mint deposits or corrosion products sit on top of the surface and can often be dislodged with gentle pressure. A die chip is struck metal that cannot be removed without damaging the coin.

The fastest confirmation is a raised, solid blob with struck-surface luster in a location where no design element should exist.

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4. 2017 Penny Re-punched Mint Mark Error (Up to $125)

The 2017-P penny carries historical weight: it was the first and only time Philadelphia stamped a P mint mark on a Lincoln cent. That one-year-only status makes any 2017-P mint mark variety automatically more collectible than the same error on a Denver issue.

Re-punched mint mark errors formed when the mint mark punch struck the die more than once at slightly different positions, creating overlapping or shadowed impressions of the P letter beneath the date. The secondary impression sits at a visibly different angle from the primary strike.

Value: A 2017-P MS62 Lincoln cent with a re-punched mint mark sold for $125 at auction in 2019. Most examples trade between $50 and $150 depending on the severity of the re-punching and the clarity of the secondary impression.

The one-year-only P mint mark creates a natural pricing floor that comparable D mint mark RPMs do not enjoy. Certified examples with clear separation between punches command the highest premiums.

How to Identify: Locate the P mint mark below the date on the obverse. Under 10x magnification, look for a secondary impression of the letter P sitting slightly offset from the primary strike.

A genuine RPM shows two or more overlapping impressions that are both raised and rounded. The secondary punch should have the same serif style and proportions as the primary letter — just shifted.

Machine doubling near the mint mark produces flat, shelf-like smearing with no distinct secondary letter shape. An RPM always shows a recognizable letter form in the secondary position.

Cross-reference against known 2017-P RPM varieties documented by Wexler or CONECA. The fastest confirmation is finding a clearly offset secondary P impression that is raised, rounded, and matches the primary letter’s font.

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5. 2017 Penny Doubled Die Error (Up to $150)

Doubled die errors on 2017 pennies trace back to the same flawed Working Hubs that created the Fat Y variety, but individual dies also picked up their own unique doubling during the hubbing process. Wexler has cataloged at least 15 different WDDO varieties for the 2017-P alone, with WDDO-001 and WDDO-009 considered the strongest.

The key distinction from the Fat Y is specificity: a DDO shows doubling patterns unique to a single die, not shared across all dies from the same hub. That makes individual DDO varieties scarcer.

Value: A 2017-P MS60 Lincoln penny with strong doubling on both obverse and reverse sold for $150 at Heritage Auctions. The specific WDDO-001 variety trades for $50 to $100 certified, while less dramatic doubled dies bring $20 to $50.

Grade matters heavily — MS65 RD examples with full original red color command double the price of equivalent brown-toned specimens. Certification with a specific Wexler attribution on the label adds a reliable premium.

How to Identify: Use 10x magnification on IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY first. Genuine doubled dies show rounded, split-image doubling where letters appear wider or display distinct notched edges — Wexler describes this as the “notched ERTY” effect on several 2017 varieties.

Check Lincoln’s eye, bowtie, and ear for secondary doubling that matches the obverse inscription patterns. The doubling must appear consistent across multiple design elements struck from the same die.

Machine doubling looks flat and shelf-like with no true image separation. A genuine DDO shows rounded, bold secondary images that appear swollen compared to a normal strike.

The fastest confirmation is finding notched or split doubling in LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST that matches a documented WDDO listing.

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6. 2017 Penny Die Clash Error (Up to $180)

Die clash errors on 2017 pennies occur when the obverse and reverse dies slam together without a planchet between them. The tremendous pressure transfers a ghost impression of each die’s design onto the opposing die surface, permanently scarring both dies.

Every coin subsequently struck by those damaged dies carries faint phantom design elements from the wrong side. On Lincoln Shield cents, the most visible clash marks appear as ghost outlines of the reverse shield columns in Lincoln’s neck and chest area on the obverse.

Value: A 2017-D AU58 Lincoln penny with a die clash error sold for $180 at an online auction in 2021. Mild die clashes on 2017 cents trade for $30 to $80.

Strong clashes with clearly recognizable transferred design elements push into the $100 to $180 range. The 2017-P die clash is specifically noted in variety references as one of the more prominent modern cent clashes.

How to Identify: Examine the obverse field areas around Lincoln’s portrait under 10x magnification. Look for faint, shallow outlines of shield reverse elements — particularly horizontal lines or column traces appearing in the neck and chest area.

On the reverse, check for ghost traces of Lincoln’s profile near the shield. The transferred images appear as shallow, raised impressions that do not match any element normally present on that side.

Die polishing may have partially removed the clash marks, leaving only fragments. Post-mint contact marks produce random scratches with no recognizable design pattern, unlike the organized ghost images from a clash.

The fastest confirmation is identifying a recognizable reverse design element — shield columns or horizontal lines — appearing as a ghost impression on the obverse.

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7. 2017 Penny Struck Through Error (Up to $210)

Struck-through errors happen when foreign material gets trapped between the die and the planchet during striking. Common culprits include grease, cloth fibers, metal shavings, and workshop debris.

The foreign object blocks part of the die from contacting the planchet, leaving an impression, void, or mushy texture where design details should be sharp. After striking, the debris usually falls away, leaving only its silhouette as evidence.

Struck-through grease is the most common subtype on 2017 cents and creates soft, filled-in areas across inscriptions or portrait details. Metal shavings and cloth fibers produce more irregular impressions with distinct outlines.

Value: A 2017-P MS60 Lincoln penny with a struck-through error on the obverse sold for $210 in 2018. General pricing for 2017 struck-through cents ranges from $25 to $300 depending on the size, location, and visual impact of the obstruction.

Struck-through errors affecting Lincoln’s face or major inscriptions command higher premiums than those in the peripheral field. Large obstructions covering multiple design elements bring stronger results than small, isolated voids near the rim.

How to Identify: Look for unusual impressions, voids, or textured areas that interrupt the normal design flow. Struck-through grease creates mushy, filled-in zones where details appear weak or absent.

Struck-through debris leaves irregular raised or recessed marks that often retain the shape of the foreign object. The affected area should have a distinctly different surface texture from the surrounding struck design.

Weigh the coin on a digital scale — it should match the standard 2.50 grams for a copper-plated zinc cent. A correct weight confirms the planchet was standard and the anomaly came from a foreign obstruction during striking.

The fastest confirmation is finding a clearly defined void or impression on an otherwise well-struck coin, with the affected area matching the profile of a recognizable foreign object type.

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8. 2017 Penny Brockage Error (Up to $218)

A brockage forms when a previously struck coin fails to eject from the press and sticks to one of the dies. The next blank planchet feeds in and gets struck normally on one side, but the stuck coin presses its own design into the opposite face of the new blank.

The result is a coin with a normal raised image on one side and a mirror-reversed, sunken impression on the other. Because the stuck coin acts as a secondary die, the incuse image reads backward.

Value: A 2017-D MS67 Lincoln penny with a brockage error sold for $218 at an eBay auction in 2018. Partial brockages on 2017 cents trade between $99 and $180 depending on completeness.

Full brockages with a complete, legible mirror-image impression command the highest premiums among collectors who specialize in striking errors. The MS67 grade on the 2017-D example is unusually high for a brockage, which contributed to its strong auction result.

How to Identify: One side should show a normal, raised Lincoln cent design. Flip the coin over — the opposite side should display a mirror-reversed, sunken impression where letters read backward and the portrait appears incuse.

Use a 5x loupe to confirm the incuse side shows genuine design elements with consistent depth, not random damage. The mirror image should cover a substantial portion of the coin’s surface.

Weigh the coin at 2.50 grams to confirm a correct copper-plated zinc planchet. Post-mint damage from being pressed against another coin creates similar marks but with uneven depth and no consistent mirror reversal across the full design.

The fastest confirmation is a complete mirror-reversed design on one face with backward-reading inscriptions and an incuse portrait.

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9. 2017 Penny Misaligned Die Error (Up to $285)

A misaligned die error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies are not properly aligned within the press. The result is a visible offset or rotation between the two sides of the coin when you flip it on its vertical axis.

Normal coins show matching orientations — the reverse is 180 degrees rotated from the obverse in the standard medal turn. Misaligned examples display a rotation of anywhere from a few degrees to nearly 180 degrees off the expected position.

Value: A 2017-P MS66 Lincoln cent with a misaligned die error sold for $285 at a PCGS auction in 2020. Most misaligned 2017 pennies trade between $50 and $200 depending on the degree of rotation.

Greater rotation angles command higher prices. Errors of 90 degrees or more are scarce and attract competitive bidding, while subtle 10-to-15-degree rotations sell at the lower end.

How to Identify: Hold the coin with the obverse facing you and note Lincoln’s position relative to the rim. Flip the coin on its vertical axis and check whether the shield reverse maintains the expected 180-degree orientation.

On a properly struck coin, the reverse design will appear upside-down relative to the obverse when flipped end-over-end. A misaligned die shows the reverse rotated to some other angle.

Use a protractor or rotation gauge to measure the exact degree of offset for accurate description. The coin’s weight should remain at the standard 2.50 grams and diameter at 19.00mm — only the die alignment is wrong.

The fastest confirmation is flipping the coin vertically and finding the reverse design rotated away from its expected 180-degree position.

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10. 2017 Penny Close AM Error (Up to $300)

The Close AM error refers to the spacing between the A and M in AMERICA on the reverse. On normal 2017 Shield cents, these letters have a visible gap between them.

Close AM specimens show the two letters touching or nearly touching, resulting from a hub or die variation that compressed the spacing. This error became famous on 1990s Memorial cents but still appears on modern Shield issues, and finding one on a 2017 coin is considered a noteworthy discovery among variety collectors.

Value: A 2017-P MS64 Lincoln cent with a Close AM error sold for $300 on eBay in 2020. Values range from $100 to $400 depending on condition and the clarity of the letter spacing anomaly.

The error is scarce enough on 2017 dates that confirmed examples attract strong interest from Lincoln cent variety specialists. Professional grading with the variety noted on the label strengthens resale value.

How to Identify: Flip the coin to the reverse and examine the word AMERICA at the bottom of the shield design under 5x magnification. On a normal 2017 penny, the A and M have a clear, visible gap between them.

On a Close AM variety, the right foot of the A touches or nearly touches the left foot of the M. Compare your coin directly against a normal 2017 cent to calibrate your eye — the spacing difference is real but subtle.

Use good lighting at a slight angle to enhance the letter edges. Machine doubling or post-mint contact near the letters can create a false impression of touching; confirm that the letter feet themselves are closer to each other, not just smeared.

The fastest confirmation is the right foot of the A making contact with the left foot of the M under magnification.

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11. 2017 Penny Floating Head Error (Up to $350)

The floating head error results from excessive die polishing at the Mint. When workers polished a die to remove cracks, chips, or clash marks, they sometimes removed too much steel from the shallow-relief areas of Lincoln’s neck, severing the visual connection between his head and shoulders.

Coins struck from the over-polished die show Lincoln’s head hovering above his coat and bowtie with a blank gap where the neck should be. The effect is immediately visible and earned the variety its descriptive nickname.

Value: A 2017-D MS60 Lincoln penny with a floating head error sold for $350 at an eBay auction in 2020. General pricing for this variety on 2017 cents ranges from $100 to $350.

The visual drama of the error drives its premium — a headless-looking Lincoln on a one-year-type P mint mark coin is inherently more photogenic and memorable than most die varieties.

How to Identify: Examine the obverse of the coin, focusing on Lincoln’s neck and the junction between his head and shoulders. On a normal coin, the neck connects smoothly from chin to coat collar.

On a floating head variety, a visible gap or void separates the head from the body. The area where the neck should appear looks smooth and featureless, as though the design simply stops below the chin.

This is distinct from circulation wear, which would affect the entire portrait uniformly. The floating head shows a localized absence of detail in the neck area while surrounding design elements remain sharp.

The fastest confirmation is a smooth, struck-surface void in the neck area on a coin where Lincoln’s jawline and bowtie both retain sharp detail.

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12. 2017 Penny Broad Strike Error (Up to $486)

A broad strike occurs when the planchet is struck outside the retaining collar that normally constrains the metal to its correct diameter. Without the collar, striking pressure spreads the metal outward, producing a coin that is wider, flatter, and lacks a proper rim.

The entire design must be present on both faces for the error to qualify as a broad strike. If part of the design is cut off, it gets classified as an off-center strike instead — a different category with its own pricing.

Value: A 2017-P MS63 Lincoln cent with a broad strike error sold for $486 on eBay in 2019. Most broad-struck 2017 pennies trade between $50 and $200 depending on how dramatically the diameter exceeds the standard 19mm.

The 2017-P example commands a premium over D mint marks because of the one-year-only P designation. Coins showing extreme spreading with fully intact designs bring the strongest results.

How to Identify: Place the coin next to a normal 2017 penny. A broad strike will be visibly wider — often 20mm or more compared to the standard 19mm.

Use digital calipers to measure the diameter precisely. The edge should appear smooth, weak, or irregularly shaped because the collar did not form the rim.

Weigh the coin on a digital scale — it should match 2.50 grams, confirming the planchet was correct and only the collar was absent. Post-mint damage from a vise or roller produces similar flattening but leaves tool marks and uneven distortion.

The fastest confirmation is a wider-than-19mm diameter combined with weak or absent rim and the full design visible on both faces.

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13. 2017 Penny Off-Center Strike Error (Up to $1,500)

Off-center strikes happen when the planchet is not properly seated between the dies during striking. Only the portion of the blank sitting between the dies receives the design impression, while the remaining area stays as smooth, unstruck metal.

The degree of displacement is measured as a percentage — 50% means half the design is present and half is blank. The sweet spot for value is 40% to 60% off-center with the date and mint mark still visible, which requires the planchet to have been misaligned in a very specific way.

Value: Modern Lincoln cent off-center strikes at 5% to 15% sell for $10 to $30. Moderate displacements of 20% to 40% with a visible date reach $50 to $200 at auction.

Major off-center strikes at 50% or greater with a legible date and mint mark on 2017 cents can reach $500 to $1,500 based on comparable modern cent sales at Heritage Auctions. The 2017-P carries an additional premium for its one-year mint mark.

How to Identify: The error is visible to the naked eye — part of the coin shows the normal Lincoln design with full relief, and the remaining area is smooth, blank planchet metal. The boundary between struck and unstruck zones should be sharp and clean.

Use digital calipers to confirm the coin has not been trimmed after minting. The weight should match 2.50 grams on a digital scale, since the planchet is correct — only the alignment was wrong.

Post-mint damage from a rolling machine produces uneven distortion without a clean struck-versus-blank boundary. Genuine off-center strikes always show a distinct demarcation line.

The fastest confirmation is a sharp, clean boundary between the fully struck design area and smooth blank metal, with the date still readable.

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14. 2017 Penny Wrong Planchet Error (Up to $2,000)

A wrong planchet error occurs when a blank intended for a different denomination or composition gets fed into the Lincoln cent press. The dies stamp the penny design onto metal that was never meant to receive it.

A documented 2017-P Lincoln Shield cent was struck on a bronze planchet weighing approximately 2.87 grams instead of the standard 2.50-gram copper-plated zinc blank. PCGS certified it at MS-64 RB, and it sold through GreatCollections — bronze planchets have not been standard for cents since 1982, making this a composition anomaly produced 35 years after the switch.

Value: The specific 2017-P on bronze planchet sold through GreatCollections at an undisclosed price, but comparable wrong planchet Lincoln cents routinely sell for $500 to $2,000 depending on grade and the planchet type. A cent struck on a dime planchet typically brings $400 or more.

Composition errors carry steep premiums because they are immediately verifiable by weight and cannot be faked without extreme effort. Professional authentication by PCGS or NGC is mandatory for any sale.

How to Identify: Start with a digital scale — a standard 2017 penny weighs 2.50 grams on a copper-plated zinc planchet. The documented bronze planchet example weighs approximately 2.87 grams, a 0.37-gram difference that is unmistakable on a precision scale.

The bronze planchet also appears slightly more golden in tone compared to the standard copper plating, and it will not reveal a zinc core if the edge is examined closely. Standard cents show a visible zinc layer at the edge where the copper plating meets the core.

Use calipers to measure the diameter, which should remain close to 19mm since bronze cent planchets and zinc cent planchets share the same blank dimensions. The weight difference is the definitive diagnostic.

The fastest confirmation is a 2017 penny weighing significantly more or less than 2.50 grams on a calibrated digital scale.

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Conclusion

The 2017 penny error range runs from $5 BIE die breaks pulled from pocket change to a $2,000 wrong planchet strike authenticated by PCGS. A digital scale and a 10x loupe cover identification for every error on this list.

The one-year-only P mint mark makes 2017 the single best modern date for Lincoln cent variety collecting. Check the weight first, then check LIBERTY.