1940-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

Third reverse doubled die documented for the 1940-D Lincoln wheat cent by the Wexler Team, WDDR-003 presents strong extra thickness on both wheat ears and stems, E PLURIBUS UNUM (EPU), and the dots — a comprehensive spread affecting multiple reverse design elements. Victor David Brenner's wheat cent reverse features two wheat stalks framing the denomination ONE CENT, with E PLURIBUS UNUM running across the top and the dot separators providing precise geometric markers where hub doubling manifests as thickened or slightly displaced impressions. Obverse die markers provide essential identification: die scratches run east from Lincoln's forehead, and additional north-to-south scratches appear in front of the chin and lips — three distinct linear diagnostics on the portrait that fingerprint the specific obverse die paired with this doubled reverse. No significant reverse die markers beyond the doubling itself were noted. The Wexler Team cataloged this under Wexler Variety ID: 1940-D 1¢ WDDR-003 with no additional cross-references from other attribution systems. Denver struck approximately 81.39 million wheat cents in 1940, a pre-war mintage that reflects the gradual production increases as the economy recovered from the Depression. The strong extra thickness designation elevates WDDR-003 above light or medium spread varieties, indicating the secondary hub impression displaced far enough to create clearly visible thickened contours on the wheat ears, stems, EPU letters, and dot separators. The broad distribution of the doubling across multiple design elements — spanning both wheat ears, their stems, the motto, and the decorative dots — points to a substantial overall hub displacement rather than a localized distortion. Collectors should first verify the obverse die scratches on the forehead, chin, and lips area, then examine the reverse wheat ears, stems, EPU, and dots at 10-15x magnification for the strong extra thickness characteristic.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1940-D 1¢ WDDR-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References