1969 S Lincoln S/S ? 0

[SRH.]

I recently acquired a bunch of old Lincoln Whitman coin folders, I came across this 1969 S Lincoln cent in one of them, (hence the contamination) I first wrote it off as machine doubling but could not find any other sign of rotation or north/south doubling on the coin. The only variety of the 69-S I can find is the famous double die, I know this is not that. Do you think this coin is worth submitting for conservation and a possible variety designation, or should I stick to my first instinct and file it under very cool but worthless. The coin is in very nice overall condition.

 

[DWLange]

Your coin does display strike doubling (aka machine doubling). This is extremely common on S-Mint cents 1968-72. The SF Assay Office (as it was then known) was using obsolete, hand-me-down presses when re-activated in 1965, and it took a few years to get better equipment.

FYI, a true doubled-die variety would show doubling only on the date and not the mintmark, because the S was applied with a hand punch after the die was hubbed. The doubling occurs only during the hubbing process.