The 1972 D Penny Missing the Letter “L” in Liberty
There are many myths and legends surrounding the 1972 d penny missing the letter “L.” One myth is that a 1970 d penny is missing the letter “L” in the letter “Liberty.” However, this is not the case. In fact, the d-penny is missing the letter “L” because grease filled up a die. This was an unintentional error that was not intended to be permanent.
The most common myth is that there is one single coin of the year lacking an l in Liberty. In reality, these pennies are a rare variety. They are not worth much when worn, but they can be worth anywhere from ten to thirty cents in uncirculated condition. A 1973 d penny that was graded MS67+RD by the Professional Coin Grading Service sold for $3,850 in an auction in 2020. The “D” mintmark means that the coin was minted in Denver, Colorado, and has a total mintage of 3,549,576,588. Because Denver pennies were made from bronze, they have a higher copper value.
An error penny can be worth up to $15 in mint condition. However, their mintage is unknown, which makes them easier to find. However, even if a 1973 d penny is missing an “L,” it could command a price of $500 if it is in mint condition. If the error is more serious, an EF-40 coin is worth a couple of hundred dollars. These pennies are rare but are still worth investing in – especially when you can get one for free!
While the majority of errors on a 1971-D penny are minor, they’re not so uncommon. A 1%-2% off-center error on a 1973 d penny can fetch up to $20 or more, while a fifty-percent-off-center d penny can sell for up to $100. However, the more severe the misalignment, the higher its value. The 1973 d penny missing l in liberty coin is, the higher the premium.
A 1973-D penny missing the l in Liberty is worth at least double its face value! However, you can still get a decent value for a 1973-D penny if you buy it in a proof or uncirculated condition with MS 65 grade. However, it’s worth noting that it’s worth twice the value of its face value! You’ll have to be patient enough to wait for it to be sold on the secondary market, but it’s worth the effort!
While error coinage is a vast subject, there are some tips and tricks to make sure your 1983-D Penny is real. First, research how to identify error coins by studying a reputable reference guide or educational website. A trusted source to consult is the Combined Organization of Numismatic Error Collectors of America (CONECA). The Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties by J.T. Stanton and Bill Fivaz is a good reference for learning more about these rare coins.
