1917 Lincoln Cent. FS-101. Doubled Die Obverse. MS-66 RD (PCGS). CAC. Here is an essentially pristine representative of this coveted Doubled Die variety. Vivid mint orange color is as bright and fresh as the day the coin was produced. The fully struck devices are enhanced by frosty mint luster that extends throughout the fields. Beautiful to look at and technically exceptional.<p>The 1917 FS-101 is one of the most pronounced Doubled Die Obverse varieties in the entire Lincoln cent series, with sharp doubling to the digits in the date and the letters GOD WE TRUST in the motto. Writing in the 2009 edition of the <em>Cherrypickers Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins</em>, Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton describe the 1917 FS-101 DDO as, "arguably the most sought after of the early Lincoln cent varieties." The high regard in which this variety is held among specialists is universal, with David W. Lange (<em>The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents</em>, 1996), writing:<p><em>"A distinct, doubled-die obverse is known for [the 1917] and has become extremely popular with specialists. Uncirculated examples remain quite rare. This variety is illustrated in </em>A Guide Book of United States Coins<em> (the Red Book), also in Walter Breens </em>Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins<em> and </em>The Lincoln Cent Doubled-Die<em>, by John A. Wexler. This assures that it will always be in demand and will command a premium price when properly attributed."</em><p>Ranking as the sole finest example of this variety approved by CAC, this is a significant Lincoln cent and will be appreciated by those competing for top ranking on the PCGS Set Registry. In many regards it represents the pinnacle of this elusive issue and would be difficult to improve upon.
