SHOCKING DISCOVERIES: PENNIES STRUCK ON WRONG PLANCHETS
While most 2000 Lincoln pennies are worth face value, bizarre mint errors involving wrong planchets have sold for 1,775to1,775to35,250+. Here’s how to spot these accidental treasures in your collection.
TOP 5 MOST VALUABLE 2000 PENNY ERRORS
1. Struck on a Sacagawea Dollar Planchet (10,000–10,000–35,250)
- How to Identify:
- Golden color (from dollar composition)
- Larger size (26.5mm vs. normal 19.05mm)
- Weighs 8.1g (vs. 2.5g for normal pennies)
- Record Sale: $35,250 for an MS-66 example
2. Struck on a Virginia Quarter Planchet (7,000–7,000–26,400)
- Key Features:
- Silvery color + larger diameter (24.3mm)
- Partial quarter design visible under magnification
- Auction Record: $26,400 (MS-66)
3. Double Denomination (Struck Over a Dime) (1,000–1,000–5,500)
- Telltale Signs:
- Mixed designs (Lincoln + dime elements)
- Weighs 2.27g (dime weight)
- Recent Sale: $4,600 (MS-67)
4. Struck on a Dime Planchet (500–500–3,000)
- Identification:
- Smaller/silver (17.9mm diameter)
- Missing copper plating
- Top Price: $2,640 (MS-68)
5. 2000 “Wide AM” Variety (50–50–200)
- Non-Error Rarity: Clear gap between “A” and “M” in “AMERICA”

HOW TO SPOT THESE ERRORS (3 QUICK TESTS)
- Weigh It:
- Normal penny = 2.5g
- Dime planchet = 2.27g
- Quarter planchet = 5.67g
- Dollar planchet = 8.1g
- Measure Diameter:
- Use calipers to check size anomalies.
- Check Color/Magnetism:
- Copper-plated zinc = reddish (non-magnetic)
- Silver planchets = grayish (may be magnetic)
WHERE TO SELL YOUR RARE ERROR PENNY
- Get It Certified: PCGS/NGC encapsulation adds 200–500% value.
- Choose the Right Platform:
- Heritage Auctions (for errors >$5,000)
- eBay (for 500–500–5,000 errors)
- Photograph Clearly: Show both sides + edge to prove authenticity.
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