1937 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Identified by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-1372 and DMR-006, this third cataloged doubled die obverse for the 1937 Lincoln Wheat Cent shows extra thickness on LIBERTY and the date, accompanied by light spread on GOD. The die progressed through three documented stages: Stage A in early die state remains unconfirmed, Stage B presents both obverse and reverse at mid-die state, and Stage C in late die state is also unconfirmed. Extra thickness, as distinct from clear separation, indicates that the hub impressions were very closely spaced — close enough that the doubling manifests as thickened lines rather than visibly split images. This subtle form of doubled die is common on Depression-era Wheat Cents, where high production volumes meant that dies were manufactured rapidly and minor misalignments during multi-impression hubbing went undetected. The 1937 Philadelphia Mint produced over 309 million cents that year. Being only the third DDO documented for this date, DDO-003 sits among the earlier discoveries in what would eventually become a longer catalog. Collectors seeking this variety should examine LIBERTY under magnification, looking for letters that appear unusually bold compared to normal strikes from properly hubbed dies.

Die Markers

• UVC-1372
• DMR-006
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References