1969-S Lincoln Cent. FS-101. Doubled Die Obverse. MS-63 BN (PCGS).A beautiful and impressively preserved example of this iconic 20th century rarity. The patina is dominated by brown and peach tones, though reveals an iridescence of gold and sapphire colors surrounding the design elements. Copious luster blankets the surfaces, with a satiny texture flooding the fields and a more dense frosting atop the devices. Overall smooth and unblemished, with just a thin mark in the right obverse field to aid in tracing this jewel through future cabinets. The 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse is an extremely desirable variety, having an estimated population of 40 to 50 pieces based on combined certification service statistics. Our estimate may be somewhat liberal, as the experts at PCGS CoinFacts opine "about 30 known." The doubling on this variety is very dramatic, fully matching the spectacular appearance of the well known 1955 and 1972 Doubled Die Obverse varieties, but in the case of the 1969-S, perhaps 100 times rarer. Quoting from Fivaz and Stantons <em>Cherrypickers Guide</em>: "The publicity this coin has received over its lifetime has been enormous, hence the very high values, which are well deserved." According to Breen, the variety was independently reported by two collectors in June and July of 1970. The present example is tied for the finest known in the Brown color category, with none certified finer by either service in this designation.PCGS Population: 2; none finer within this color category.
