1939 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Ranked second in the doubled die obverse sequence for 1939 Lincoln Wheat Cents, DDO-002 features a strong extra eyelid displaced to the southeast of the normal eyelid on Lincoln's portrait. The "strong" classification indicates the secondary impression is readily visible under moderate magnification, making this one of the more prominent eyelid DDOs in the late 1930s Wheat Cent catalog. The eyelid remains the single most productive diagnostic zone on the Lincoln Cent obverse for doubled die detection because even small hub displacements produce clear separation between the primary and secondary lid curves. Three die stages document this die's working life under catalog codes UVC-1420 and DMR-004. Stage A places both the obverse and reverse in early die state, confirming the eyelid doubling was present from the die's first production. Stage B at mid-die state remains unconfirmed. Stage C confirms both the obverse and reverse in late die state, establishing that the die survived to advanced deterioration. Cataloged by VarietyVista, this Philadelphia Mint Wheat Cent from 1939 — a year of robust pre-war cent production — offers collectors a confirmed strong DDO where the southeast eyelid displacement serves as the primary and most reliable diagnostic feature.

Die Markers

• UVC-1420
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joe Rizdy
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References