1927-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Bearing the second obverse doubled die designation for the 1927-S Lincoln wheat cent, WDDO-002 presents a distinctive triple-impression effect with two extra eyelids visible below Lincoln's primary eyelid — doubling the diagnostic impact of the more common single extra eyelid variety. The Wexler Team reported no significant obverse die markers, but the reverse carries particularly useful diagnostics: die scratches running south from the first U in UNUM to the E in ONE, plus a large die gouge below the S in PLURIBUS. These reverse markers provide a reliable two-step identification pathway independent of the subtle eyelid doubling itself. San Francisco struck approximately 14.28 million cents in 1927, one of the lower S-mint wheat cent mintages of the late 1920s that contributes to the general scarcity of this date in higher grades. The dual extra eyelid phenomenon suggests the working die received at least three hub impressions — the primary plus two displaced secondary impressions — each landing at slightly different positions in the eye area of Victor David Brenner's Lincoln portrait. This triple-impression scenario is less common than the standard single extra eyelid found on many Lincoln cent DDOs, making WDDO-002 a particularly interesting variety from a die manufacturing perspective. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1927-S 1¢ WDDO-002, with no additional attribution system listings currently known. The large die gouge below the S in PLURIBUS on the reverse is the most conspicuous die marker and should serve as the initial identification step — its size and specific location make it readily distinguishable from random damage. After confirming the reverse die, collectors should examine Lincoln's eye area under 10-15x magnification, looking for two distinct secondary eyelid lines below the primary, with each line representing an independent hub impression that displaced the eyelid detail from its correct position.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Dr. Daniel T. Griffin Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1927-S 1¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References