The Diggin Dave

The Diggin Dave Exploring the hidden history and stories behind rare coins from around the world. This page is all about exploring coins and their history.
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"This is not a buy or sell platform, and no trading or dealing is conducted here." We share educational and entertaining videos that tell the stories behind rare and ancient coins. Our goal is to inspire curiosity, share knowledge, and connect with people who love history and collectables. This is not a buy or sell platform, and no trading or dealing is conducted here.

The Sharp Contrast || The 1944-D over S Lincoln Cent {The Diggin Dave}S Under-print || Look closely inside the upper and...
06/18/2026

The Sharp Contrast || The 1944-D over S Lincoln Cent {The Diggin Dave}

S Under-print || Look closely inside the upper and lower loops of the main "D" mint mark. A genuine specimen reveals the clear, distinctive structural curved serifs of the underlying "S" peeking out.

The Date Placement || Check the spacing of the "1944" digits. The numbers are incredibly sharp, crisp, and standard, providing a stark contrast to the modified letter underneath.

The Mint Mark Tilt || Inspect the main "D" mark carefully. On this specific variety, the "D" is slightly tilted to the left compared to normal 1944-D strikes.

Because these coins blended perfectly into massive wartime production runs, they spent decades hiding in plain sight. Today, an authentic, heavily worn example found in an old vintage jar holds an estimated value $250+. However, if you happen to find an exceptionally preserved copy that retained its original bright red copper lustre, its potential worth can easily cross $1,500+ at a heritage auction. (PCGS)


The Diggin Dave content is only for educational and research purpose - Always verify your coins with a certified numismatist.

The Hidden Shift | The 1972 Doubled Die Penny (The Diggin Dave)To verify this rare variety, look for three specific mark...
06/18/2026

The Hidden Shift | The 1972 Doubled Die Penny (The Diggin Dave)

To verify this rare variety, look for three specific markers.
The Date Shift
Look closely at the "1972" numbers. A genuine error shows a clear, prominent secondary image shifted upward.

The Motto Overlap
Check the phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST" along the top rim. Every letter features distinct, parallel doubling.

The Liberty Text
Inspect the word "LIBERTY" on the left side, which shows a heavy, unmistakable horizontal offset.
Because many of these pieces mixed into regular pocket change completely unnoticed, they spent years circulating. Today, a heavily worn, brown example found in an old jar holds an estimated value $350+. However, if you manage to find a pristine copy that preserved its original bright red copper lustre, it holds a potential worth of over $3,000+ at a heritage auction. (PCGS)


The Diggin Dave content is only for educational and research purpose - Always verify your coins with a certified numismatist.

Night the Mint Saw Double || The 1955 Penny Error (The Diggin Dave)It became the most famous mistake in coin history. If...
06/18/2026

Night the Mint Saw Double || The 1955 Penny Error (The Diggin Dave)

It became the most famous mistake in coin history. If you look at a genuine 1955 doubled die, the date and the word "LIBERTY" aren't just blurry—they have distinct, completely separate second stamped images that you can see clear across a room.
Because people caught on quickly, a lot of these were preserved. Today, even a worn, brown penny found in an old jar holds an estimated value $2,500+. If you ever find one that still has its original bright red copper shine, you are looking at an elite collector's piece that holds a potential worth of over $50,000+ at a heritage auction. (PCGS)


The Diggin Dave content is only for educational and research purpose - Always verify your coins with a certified numismatist.

Could You Have a 1922 No D Penny? (The Diggin Dave)Did you know that one small minting mistake made a 1922 Lincoln penny...
06/17/2026

Could You Have a 1922 No D Penny? (The Diggin Dave)

Did you know that one small minting mistake made a 1922 Lincoln penny famous among coin collectors?
Most 1922 Lincoln cents were produced at the Denver Mint and normally carry a "D" mint mark beneath the date. However, due to excessive polishing of a worn die, some coins were struck without a visible mint mark. These coins are now known as the 1922 "No D" pennies.

Collectors often look for examples that show a smooth area where the mint mark should be, along with other characteristics used to identify authentic varieties.

Because of their rarity and historical significance, well-preserved examples can attract strong interest from collectors. If you have old coin collections or inherited coin jars, it may be worth taking a closer look at your 1922 pennies.

Coin collecting is full of fascinating stories, and the 1922 No D penny remains one of the hobby's most talked-about discoveries.


The Diggin Dave content is only for educational and research purpose - Always verify your coins with a certified numismatist.

1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent – Key Info || The Diggin Dave - Rare Coin'sThe 1992 Close AM Lincoln cent is a well-known mod...
06/16/2026

1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent – Key Info || The Diggin Dave - Rare Coin's

The 1992 Close AM Lincoln cent is a well-known modern variety tied to a reverse design mix-up. The standard 1992 business-strike cent normally shows Wide AM spacing in “AMERICA,” but a small number were struck using Close AM-style dies, making them an important transitional variety in the Lincoln cent series.

How to Identify
AM in “AMERICA”
The “A” and “M” are very close together, nearly touching at the base.
Designer initials “FG”: Located to the right of the Lincoln Memorial; placement can help confirm die type.
Letter detail
The “G” in “FG” may show a slightly sharper inner serif compared to standard strikes.
Important Note
The main identification feature is the spacing in “AMERICA.
Close AM = letters nearly touch
Wide AM = clear separation

Estimated Worth (PCGS)
Heavily circulated examples: about $2,000 to $5,000+
High-grade, well-preserved examples: about $10,000 to over $25,000+, depending on condition.

Because this variety is easy to confuse with normal design differences, careful comparison with verified references is important before attribution.


The Diggin Dave content is only for educational and research purpose - Always verify your coins with a certified numismatist.

1999 Wide AM Lincoln Cent Anomaly – Key Info || The Diggin DaveThe 1999 Wide AM Lincoln cent is a modern variety that co...
06/15/2026

1999 Wide AM Lincoln Cent Anomaly – Key Info || The Diggin Dave

The 1999 Wide AM Lincoln cent is a modern variety that comes from a reverse design mix-up between proof-style dies (Wide AM) and regular business-strike cents (Close AM). It is considered a notable modern error variety in the Lincoln cent series.

How to Identify
AM in 'AMERICA'
On the reverse, there should be a clear gap between the “A” and “M.”
Designer initials “FG”: Check the right side of the Lincoln Memorial; placement and sharpness can help confirm design style.
Lincoln Memorial detail
Proof-style dies often show sharper, more defined architectural lines compared to standard strikes.
Important Note

The main diagnostic feature is the spacing between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA.” Close AM coins show nearly touching letters, while Wide AM coins show a visible separation.

Estimated Worth (PCGS)
Lightly circulated examples: about $100 to $300+
High-grade, well-preserved examples: about $600 to over $2,500+, depending on condition and sharpness

Because Close AM coins are much more common, careful comparison is important before attributing a coin as the Wide AM variety.


The Diggin Dave content is only for educational and research purpose - Always verify your coins with a certified numismatist.

1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel – Key Info (The Diggin Dave)The 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel is a well-known U....
06/15/2026

1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel – Key Info (The Diggin Dave)

The 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel is a well-known U.S. mint error created when excessive die polishing removed one of the buffalo’s front legs from the design at the Denver Mint.

How to Identify
The buffalo’s right front leg is completely missing.
The area under the belly may show a slightly uneven, “flowing” metal look instead of a clean flat field.
The remaining legs and hoof details are still sharp, especially the rear legs.
Important Note

The main identifying feature is the missing front leg. Many altered coins exist where the leg was manually removed, but genuine examples show natural die-polishing characteristics rather than tool marks.

Estimated Worth (Collector Reference)
Heavily circulated examples: about $400 to $900+
Well-preserved, high-grade examples: about $2,500 to over $20,000+, depending on condition and sharpness of detail (PCGS)
Because this is a famous and widely studied error, authentication is important before confirming a genuine example.


The Diggin Dave content is only for educational and research purpose - Always verify your coins with a certified numismatist.

1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarter (Over-date) – Key InfoThe 1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarter is a famous U.S. over-date...
06/15/2026

1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarter (Over-date) – Key Info

The 1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarter is a famous U.S. over-date error where a 1917 die was reworked into 1918, leaving traces of the “7” visible under the “8.”

How to Identify
Look for a faint “7” showing beneath the “8” in the 1918 date.
Check for the “S” mint mark (San Francisco Mint) near Liberty’s foot.
Some coins show light die marks or scratches in the gown details.
Important Note

The key feature is the visible overlap of 7 and 8 in the date—this is the main diagnostic point collectors study. If the date looks completely normal, it is not the over date variety.

Estimated Worth (Collector Reference)
Heavily worn examples with visible over date: about $800 to $2,200+
High-grade, well-preserved examples: about $15,000 to $45,000+
(PCGS)

Because many worn pieces exist and look similar, proper authentication.


The Diggin Dave content is only for educational and research purpose - Always verify your coins with a certified numismatist.

The 1970-S Small Date Doubled Die Lincoln Cent - Rare Coin'sThe 1970-S Small Date Doubled Die Lincoln Cent is a popular ...
06/15/2026

The 1970-S Small Date Doubled Die Lincoln Cent - Rare Coin's

The 1970-S Small Date Doubled Die Lincoln Cent is a popular variety among collectors because it combines the scarce Small Date design with noticeable doubled die features.

Key Identification Points
The "1", "9", and "7" in the date align evenly across the top, a hallmark of the Small Date variety.
* Look for visible doubling in **"IN GOD WE TRUST,"** especially on the words *GOD and **"TRUST.
* The word **"LIBERTY"** often appears weaker or less defined than expected.

Estimated Worth
Circulated examples are commonly associated with estimated values of **$500 to $1,200+.
* High-grade, well-preserved examples can have estimated values ranging from $2,500 to over $4,500+, depending on condition and certification.

Because similar-looking forms of machine doubling exist, authentication is recommended before identifying a coin as a genuine doubled die variety.


The Diggin Dave content is only for educational and research purpose - Always verify your coins with a certified numismatist.

The Fascinating 1959 Lincoln Cent Wheat Reverse Transition AnomalyIn 1959, the United States Mint replaced the long-runn...
06/15/2026

The Fascinating 1959 Lincoln Cent Wheat Reverse Transition Anomaly

In 1959, the United States Mint replaced the long-running Wheat Ears reverse design on the Lincoln cent with the new Lincoln Memorial reverse. The change commemorated the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth and marked the end of the iconic Wheat Cent era.

Wheat Ear Details
Study the wheat ears on the reverse under magnification. Genuine design elements should display sharp kernel definition, clear stalk lines, and well-formed details that match known Wheat Cent characteristics.

Inspect the inscriptions "ONE CENT" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Authentic Wheat Reverse examples should show the traditional lettering style associated with the Wheat Cent series, including proper serif shapes and spacing.

Historical Significance
The reported existence of a 1959 Wheat Reverse cent is particularly intriguing because official records indicate that the Wheat Reverse design was retired before regular 1959 production began. As a result, any genuine example would provide valuable insight into the transition between the Wheat Cent and Lincoln Memorial designs.

For numismatists, transitional anomalies offer a unique opportunity to study minting practices, die usage, and design changes during important periods of coin production.

Typical Circulated Examples
A verified example showing normal circulation wear, light surface marks, and an aged copper appearance is often associated with an estimated worth in the range of $15,000 to $30,000+, depending on its condition, authenticity, and documentation.

Examples displaying minimal wear, strong original lustre, and well-preserved surfaces are considered especially desirable. In the numismatic community, such specimens are often associated with estimated values ranging from $50,000 to more than $100,000+, depending on preservation quality and certification.


The Diggin Dave content is only for educational and research purpose - Always verify your coins with a certified numismatist.

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