1939 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-017

Description

Bearing an extra eyelid just southeast of Lincoln's primary eyelid, this 1939 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent doubled die obverse is cataloged as WDDO-017 under Wexler Variety ID 1939 1 cent WDDO-017. The obverse die carries multiple diagnostic markers: a short horizontal die gouge inside the top of the ear, and a die crack running along the base of the bust that extends northwest into the field behind the bust and northeast to the second 9 in the date, creating a branching crack network across the lower portrait. On the reverse, light remnants of die clash marks are preserved inside the C of CENT and between the C of CENT and the I of UNITED, evidence that this die pair experienced at least one clash event during production. The die crack network radiating from the bust base into both the field and the date area provides a secondary attribution feature that complements the doubled eyelid, while the reverse clash remnants indicate an eventful production history. Collectors searching for WDDO-017 should examine the eyelid area first, then confirm with the branching bust crack pattern.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Andrew Charbonneau Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1939 1¢ WDDO-017
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References