1927 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-011

Description

Submitted by Dr. Daniel Griffin and cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1927 1-cent WDDO-011, this Lincoln Wheat Cent doubled die obverse presents a highly localized and diagnostically unusual feature: an extra eyelid showing below Lincoln's main eyelid. Unlike most doubled die varieties where the doubling manifests on inscriptions, dates, or broad design areas, this variety concentrates its visible effect entirely on a single anatomical detail of Victor David Brenner's portrait — the eyelid — creating the appearance of a secondary lid line beneath the primary one. This localized effect indicates the hub displacement was oriented in a direction and magnitude that produced detectable offset specifically at the eyelid's position on the die face while remaining below the visibility threshold on surrounding portrait features. Obverse die markers include die scratches running northeast from the forehead towards TRUST, die scratches running southwest-to-northeast under the eyelid (in the same zone as the doubling), and die scratches running near the rim above TRUST. Reverse die markers show die scratches running northeast through the lower C in CENT and a die scratch running northeast through the upper first A in AMERICA. No other cross-references beyond the Wexler designation are known. The Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc composition, weighing 3.11 grams at 19.05 mm diameter. The 1927 date falls within the World War I aftermath era, when Philadelphia Mint production of cents ran into the hundreds of millions annually. The doubled eyelid is best observed under 10x to 15x magnification with lighting angled to cast a slight shadow across the facial features, making the secondary eyelid line stand out against the portrait's contours.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Dr. Daniel Griffin Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1927 1¢ WDDO-011
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References