👑 Most Famous
$20 – $1,800+
1987-D/D Repunched Mint Mark FS-501
The 1987-D/D RPM FS-501 is the undisputed king of 1987 Lincoln cent varieties. Before 1990, each working die had its "D" mint mark hand-punched individually by a mint worker. When the first punch landed at the wrong angle or depth, the worker re-struck the mark — creating a secondary impression at a slightly different position.
On the FS-501, this secondary impression shifted noticeably to the north of the primary D, producing a clear ghost outline above the main mark. The Wexler designation classifies this as RPM#3, the strongest repunched mint mark known for the entire 1987 date. PCGS assigned it catalog number 569363 and the FS-501 designation confirms it in CONECA's File of Supplemental Data.
Only a handful of examples have been certified, with most appearing in grades from MS64 through MS67 Red. Collector demand is driven by the combination of visual drama — the doubled D is unmistakable under a loupe — and the historical significance as one of the final hand-punched RPM opportunities before computerized mark application ended the practice after 1989.
🔴 Rarest
$10 – $200+
1987 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
Doubled die varieties occur during the hub-to-die manufacturing process. When a working die is hubbed (impressed with the design), if the die shifts position between the first and second impression, every coin struck from that die will carry a permanent doubling in the affected design elements.
On 1987 DDO varieties, doubling appears most visibly in the date numerals, the letters of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and occasionally in Lincoln's eye or collar. CONECA lists designated varieties including WDDO-004 and CDDO-005 for this date. The key diagnostic is that the doubling must be raised and crisp — not the flat, shelf-like appearance of machine doubling, which has no collector premium.
Values depend entirely on the strength and location of the doubling. Minor varieties with weak doubling in secondary lettering command modest premiums of $25–$50. Stronger specimens where the date shows clear separation between doubled numerals can bring $100 or more in uncirculated Red condition. Attribution by CONECA or PCGS is recommended for any coin approaching three figures.
🟢 Best Kept Secret
$3 – $10
1987 BIE Die Crack
The BIE error is one of the most charming and approachable varieties in the entire Lincoln cent series. A small vertical crack develops in the die face in the narrow gap between the letters B and E in the word LIBERTY on the obverse. Because the crack fills with metal during each strike, it appears on the finished coin as a raised vertical line that perfectly mimics the letter I.
This die fatigue crack is exclusive to Lincoln cents and arises because the thin metal bridge between B and E is mechanically stressed with every strike — eventually propagating a fracture. Over 1,000 distinct BIE varieties have been catalogued across the Lincoln cent series, making 1987 examples one of hundreds of collectible dates. The crack progresses over the die's life, so early-die-state BIE coins show a fine hairline while late-die-state examples show a bold, thick crack.
For beginning error collectors, BIE pennies represent an excellent entry point — they are visually distinctive, easy to explain to non-collectors, affordable at $3–$10 each, and genuinely varied by die state. A progressive die-state set of BIE pennies from the same die (faint → moderate → bold crack) is a respected collecting theme among dedicated Lincoln cent specialists.
🟠 Most Dramatic
$10 – $100+
1987 Off-Center Strike
An off-center strike happens when the planchet slips out of proper alignment within the collar ring before the dies descend. Rather than striking the coin centered, the obverse and reverse dies impact only a portion of the blank — leaving a crescent of unstruck planchet visible on one side while the design appears crowded toward the other.
The degree of misalignment, expressed as a percentage, is the primary value driver. A 5%–15% off-center coin shows only a slight rim irregularity and minimal premium. The most desirable examples are struck 30%–50% off-center yet retain a complete, readable date — because collectors must be able to confirm the year. A complete date on a dramatically off-center 1987 penny is the key requirement for serious premiums.
Off-center strikes on zinc-core 1987 pennies require authentication because the thin copper plating can separate at the unstruck planchet edge, and post-mint alterations can simulate the look. Examples exceeding $100 should be submitted to PCGS or NGC for encapsulation, which confirms striking authenticity and protects the coin from handling damage.
🟣 Most Surprising
$20 – $150+
1987 Unplated / Zinc Planchet Error
Since 1982, U.S. pennies have been struck on zinc planchets with a thin copper outer coating — the copper accounts for just 2.5% of the coin's weight. Occasionally, a planchet enters the striking chamber without its copper plating having properly adhered during the electroplating process. The resulting coin is struck in pure zinc and appears a uniform silvery-gray rather than the familiar copper-red.
The diagnostic challenge is distinguishing genuine mint-error unplated planchets from coins where the copper layer was chemically stripped after minting — a common school science experiment. The key authentication check is weight: an unplated 1987 penny should weigh approximately 2.5 grams (the same as a plated cent, because the zinc core and copper plating together equal 2.5g, and the missing copper is negligible). The surface texture should also show consistent, uniform zinc — not the rough, pitted appearance of acid-stripped coins. Sharp, well-defined design details are another indicator of a genuine mint error.
Partially unplated examples, where only a portion of the copper layer is missing, are more common than fully unplated specimens and typically bring lower premiums. A fully unplated 1987 penny with clean, sharp zinc surfaces and authenticated by a third-party grading service represents one of the most visually striking errors in the zinc-era Lincoln cent series — and can generate significant collector interest.
