1999 D Penny with small D’s on obverse and reverse.

What are these markings and is my penny as special as I like to think it is? Is it worth anything?

 

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Hi Latisha, we have bad news and we have good news : The bad news is, what you see on your coin is PMD (Post Mint Damage), damage to the coin that occurred after it left the mint. The good news is, even with the damage your cent is still worth a cent.
Here's why "it is what it is". In mid 1982 the mint started making cents out of zinc with a very thin layer of copper. Zinc is very reactive to moisture among other things. When exposed to certain environmental aspects, a thing called "zinc rot" starts up and it really makes these pennies look bad. That's why a lot of collectors don't like them, and most collectors refer to them as " zincolns "

There are more members who can expound on this subject much more than I can, so hang on and let them take a swing at it.

Never the less, I want to welcome you to Coin Talk !! where even a zinc cent gets a link hint.
Check this out : /
It looks funny but it works. That site is all about Lincoln Cents.

 

Welcome to the neighborhood, Latisha!

The small "D's" that you think you see are not really there. It is called pareidolia. It's like looking at the clouds in the sky and seeing different shapes. The fact that your coin happens to be a crappy zincoln only compounds the problem. When you find coins with corrosion like that, you might as well just spend them.

Chris

 

Hi. I also welcome you to CoinTalk.

As the others have stated that is PMD - Post Mint Damage. The US mint does not intentionally place small extra D's here, there and everywhere. It's a plating issue.

Also, this is just a suggestion for any future questions you might have. Create your threads over at the Error Coins forum. Not the What's it Worth forum. First you should find what you have. Lastly worry about what premium it may have. Most minor issues have very little or no premium at all.

 

Welcome to CT. You're lucky this morning. You've heard from three respected CT members who know their stuff. You can take their opinions to the bank, and your cent to your change pile in your vehicle.

Another well-meant hint: most new members create polls because they think they have to in order to post. You don't.

Again, welcome.

Steve

 

Thanks for the comment, Steve. That means a lot coming from such a well-respected member as yourself, and especially to be put in the same category as 9ball and Paddyman.
Thanks again. I hope that I can maintain and even improve on that belief.