1858 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

One of only three documented doubled die obverse varieties on the Flying Eagle cent, the 1858 WDDO-003 shows Class II spread towards the center on the eagle's eye and beak, and possibly on UNITED STATES. The Flying Eagle cent, struck from 1856 to 1858, was the first small-diameter cent produced by the United States Mint, replacing the unwieldy large copper cents that had circulated since 1793. This Large Letters variety also shows a possible repunched date with the 1 repunched south. No reverse die markers were noted. The variety is cross-referenced as Snow-2 and carries the Wexler designation 1858 1¢ WDDO-003. Examination was conducted on a circulated specimen, and better examples are needed for more thorough study of the doubling's full extent. Given the brief three-year production span of the Flying Eagle cent, any die variety from this series commands significant numismatic interest, and the combination of doubled die obverse with a possible repunched date makes this a particularly compelling attribution for specialists in pre-Civil War small cents. Reverse: None noted.Submitted By: Not notedCross References: None known Obverse: Circulated specimen was examined.

Attribution History

• Discovered by William R. Van Note Cross References: Snow-2
• Snow-2; Wexler Variety ID: 1858 1¢ WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References