1941 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

Fifth in the obverse doubled die census for the 1941 Lincoln wheat cent, DDO-005 exhibits strong spread on the digits 19 of the date, the TY of LIBERTY, and Lincoln's ear on Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait. VarietyVista assigned die identifiers UVC-1477 and DMR-007, and this variety carries the significant cross-reference FS-103 (Fivaz-Stanton number 18.3), indicating inclusion in the Cherrypicker's Guide — the standard reference for die variety collectors that identifies the most significant and collectible doubled die varieties in the U.S. series. The FS-103 designation elevates DDO-005 above many Lincoln wheat cent doubled dies in both recognition and marketability, as Fivaz-Stanton listed varieties typically command premiums above their unlisted counterparts. Three die stages are documented: Stage A at early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B at mid die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C where a light die crack has developed on Lincoln's lower lapel with the obverse at late die state while the reverse has also reached LDS. The die crack on the lower lapel at Stage C provides a useful die state indicator — its appearance confirms a specimen has progressed to late die state, while its absence indicates an earlier stage. Philadelphia struck approximately 887.0 million Lincoln wheat cents in 1941, a large mintage in the final pre-war production year. The strong spread classification on the date digits, LIBERTY letters, and ear places this variety among the more dramatically doubled Lincoln cent obverses, as strong spread produces clearly visible secondary images that can often be detected with a standard 5x loupe rather than requiring the higher magnification needed for close or medium spread varieties. Collectors should examine the 19 digits and the TY of LIBERTY where the strong displacement creates unmistakable doubled impressions.

Die Markers

• UVC-1477
• DMR-007
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Light die crack on lower lapel – LDS
• Reverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by S. R. Thurman
• FS-103
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References