1864 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 1864 1-cent WDDO-001 and extensively cross-referenced — Snow S4, CONECA DDO-001 and RPD-004, Cherrypickers FS-01-1864-1101, Flynn DDO-001 and RPD-001, F.IND.ERS FND-001 — this Indian Head Cent is a No-L variety with strong Class V clockwise spread visible on LIBERTY, the ear, headdress, ribbon, and necklace. The No-L designation refers to the "L" initial of designer James Barton Longacre, which appears on the headdress ribbon and may be missing or obscured on this variety, possibly indicating a No-L over L hub. The Class V CW (clockwise) spread indicates pivoted hub doubling that affected a broad area of the obverse design, with the rotation producing visible separation across Liberty's headdress, facial features, and ornamental details. This die also exhibits a repunched date (RPD), with the date reading 64/64 West — the initial date punch was placed slightly east of its final position, creating overlapping date impressions. Obverse die markers include a die crack extending north from the rim at about 7:30, providing additional die-specific confirmation. The Indian Head Cent was designed by James Barton Longacre, struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The 1864 issue is particularly significant as the transition year when the cent changed from copper-nickel (88% copper, 12% nickel) to bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) composition, with both types produced. At 3.11 grams and 19.05 mm diameter for the bronze version, this was the lighter successor to the thicker copper-nickel "thick" cents. The extraordinary breadth of cross-references — spanning six attribution services — confirms WDDO-001's status as the premier doubled die obverse variety for the 1864 Indian Head Cent, making it a cornerstone listing for both doubled die and Indian Head Cent specialists.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Not noted Cross References: Snow: S4; CONECA: DDO-001, RPD-004; Cherrypickers: FS-01-1864-1101; Flynn: DDO-001, RPD-001; F.IND.ERS: FND-001
• Snow: S4; CONECA: DDO-001, RPD-004; Cherrypickers: FS-01-1864-1101; Flynn: DDO-001, RPD-001; F.IND.ERS: FND-001; Wexler Variety ID: 1864 1¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References