The Insider’s Guide to the 1936 Broken R Cent: What Collectors Aren’t Telling You

There’s more to this coin than meets the eye – let me show you what most collectors never notice

I’ll never forget the first time I held a 1936 cent with that suspicious break in the “R” of “TRUST.” Like many beginners, I got excited – was this a rare doubled die or just another damaged coin? After years of handling these pennies (and making plenty of mistakes), I’ve learned the truth about the 1936 Broken R cent. Let me save you the trial-and-error process I went through.

Secrets of the 1936 Broken R Cent

That Broken R Might Not Mean What You Think

Here’s something they don’t tell you in most collecting guides: a missing leg on the “R” alone doesn’t guarantee you’ve found the coveted FS-101 doubled die. The real DDO shows consistent doubling across multiple elements – not just one letter. From examining hundreds of these coins, I’ve found most “broken R” examples fall into three categories:

• Minting quirks: Weak strikes where metal didn’t flow properly
• Worn-out dies: The tooling was exhausted after striking thousands of coins
• Plain old damage: Someone might have scratched it decades ago

The Viral Myth That Won’t Die

There’s a popular video (with millions of views) claiming any broken “R” is valuable. Don’t believe it. When I compared dozens of coins against the Lincoln Cent Resource and PCGS archives, the truth became clear. Authentic FS-101 coins show doubling in the date, motto, and even Lincoln’s portrait – details most beginners overlook in their excitement.

How to Spot the Real Deal

The Telltale Signs Experts Look For

After getting burned a few times, I developed this checklist for identifying true 1936 DDO cents:

• “IN GOD WE TRUST”: The letters should have visible doubling, like a faint shadow
• The date tells all: Check the bottoms of the “3” and “6” for extra thickness
• Lincoln’s portrait: His coat lapel often shows overlapping lines

If that “R” is the only odd thing, keep looking.

Mistakes I’ve Made (So You Don’t Have To)

Learn from my collecting blunders:

• Online photos lie: I once bought a coin based on carefully angled pictures – only to find normal wear in person
• Circulation damage mimics errors: That “broken R” might just be 80 years of pocket wear
• Die chips vs. breaks: Tiny die flaws can fool you if you’re not comparing properly

Practical Advice for Your Collection

My Three-Step Authentication Process

Here’s how I verify potential 1936 DDO finds:

1. Magnification is key: My 10x loupe is always in my pocket for this exact reason
2. Compare carefully: I keep reference images from PCGS open on my phone at shows
3. Get expert eyes: When in doubt, I send it to NGC or PCGS – it’s worth the fee

Red Flags Every Collector Should Know

If a seller pushes the “rare broken R” angle too hard, be cautious. I’ve walked away from many coins where the seller couldn’t show me the other diagnostic features.

The Real Story Behind the Hype

The 1936 Broken R cent teaches us an important collecting lesson: one unusual feature doesn’t always mean you’ve struck gold. While the FS-101 is a genuine (and valuable) variety, most broken “R” coins tell a more ordinary story. By learning the full set of identifying features, you’ll separate the treasures from the trapcoins.

Pro tip: The best coin knowledge comes from handling real examples and trusted references – not viral videos or forum rumors.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• I Tested Every Method to Identify a 1936 ‘Broken R’ Cent – Here’s the Definitive Guide – I Tested Every Method to Identify a 1936 ‘Broken R’ Cent – Here’s the Definitive Guide When I first no…
• Beginner’s Guide to the 1936 Broken R Cent: Identifying Errors & Valuing Your Find – Got a 1936 penny that looks a little… off? Let’s figure it out together. Finding a coin that doesn’t look quite right is…
• The 1936 Broken R Cent: A Technical Deep Dive into a Rare Error Coin – That “broken” penny in your collection? It might not be what you think. I’ve spent years studying erro…