Error or not?
1972 penny with a thick rim: is it worth anything?
A 1972 penny with a rim that looks thick or wide is almost always worth face value. There is no recognized, valuable "1972 thick rim" variety; the look usually comes from normal strike variation, wear, or damage after the coin left the Mint. The 1972 cent worth real money is the doubled die (DDO-001).
Why some rims look thick
- Normal variation. Lincoln cents have a raised rim, and how pronounced it looks varies from strike to strike and with the light.
- Post-mint damage. Coins that were hammered, rolled in machines, squeezed in vises, or used in coin-op equipment can end up with flattened, thickened or ridged rims. Damage removes value, it doesn't add it.
- Rim burrs and "double rims". A raised lip or burr along the edge is usually damage too. Some sellers list these as "double rim errors" at high prices.
What real errors look like
A genuine mint error has a cause at the Mint and looks consistent with it. A broadstrike (struck without the retaining collar) is wider and flatter with a missing or distorted rim. A clipped planchet has a curved bite missing from the edge, with the rim fading out near the clip. If your coin doesn't match a known error type, assume it's normal.
Quick checks
- Weigh it: a 1972 cent should be about 3.11 g. A very different weight is worth a closer look.
- Measure it: about 19 mm across. Noticeably wider and thinner suggests a broadstrike.
- Check the front for doubling: the valuable 1972 is the doubled die.
What "thick rim" listings ask
| Listed as 1972 rim error | Listings | Median ask | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw (not graded) | 23 | $12.99 | $5.99 to $60.00 |
Active fixed-price eBay listings in US Coins, titles matched to this coin, lots and replicas removed, checked November 11, 2026. These are asking prices, not sales, and many listings are hopeful or mislabeled.
On November 11, 2026, 19 of 23 matching listings asked under $100, and the median ask was $12.99. Asking prices on eBay aren't sales; a few high asks don't make a coin valuable.
Questions
Is a 1972 penny with a thick rim worth money?
Almost never. It's usually normal variation or damage. The valuable 1972 cent is the doubled die obverse.
What is a 1972 double rim error?
Most coins sold under that name have a raised burr or lip from damage after striking. Unless the coin matches a recognized mint error type, it is worth face value.
What 1972 penny errors are valuable?
The 1972 doubled die obverse (DDO-001) is the big one. Genuine broadstrikes, off-center strikes and clipped planchets can also carry a premium.