1938 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 1938 1¢ WDDO-004 and likely cross-referenced as Coppercoins 1938P-1DO-001, this Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits medium extra thickness on the date, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST. Extensive die scratches serve as markers on both sides: the obverse shows northeast-southwest scratches below the 3, an east-southeast scratch from the rim above O to D in GOD, an east-west scratch through the top of W in WE, and north-south scratches through the neck. The reverse carries north-northeast to south-southwest scratches through the top of E and the second S in STATES. This abundance of die scratches provides multiple confirmation points for the specific die pair. Struck during the Great Depression at the Philadelphia Mint, the 1938 Lincoln Wheat Cent was produced in the standard 95% copper bronze alloy. Mintages remained modest during this era of economic hardship. The extensive die marker catalog on both sides, with directional scratches at multiple locations, provides collectors with numerous diagnostics for confirming this attribution beyond the primary doubled die characteristics on the obverse.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis Cross References: Likely Coppercoins: 1938P-1DO-001
• Likely Coppercoins: 1938P-1DO-001; Wexler Variety ID: 1938 1¢ WDDO-004
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References