1919 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

First cataloged doubled die reverse for the 1919 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, WDDR-001 displays moderate extra thickness across multiple reverse elements including E PLURIBUS UNUM, both wheat ears and stems, and the outermost letters of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the strongest expression concentrated on the lower half of the reverse. The distribution pattern — stronger toward the bottom — helps distinguish this variety from other forms of die deterioration doubling that would spread more uniformly. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID 1919 1c WDDR-001, the -001 suffix marks it as the first documented DDR for this date. A short die scratch running west from the top of the first numeral 1 in the date serves as the primary obverse die marker, while the reverse shows no significant secondary markers. The 1919 Lincoln Cent was struck during the post-World War I era when mintages were rebounding after wartime reductions, and the Philadelphia Mint's large output created many die pairs across extended production runs — conditions that increase the likelihood of hub doubling going undetected during die preparation.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Dr. Daniel Griffin Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1919 1¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References