1942-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

Produced during the first full year of American involvement in World War II, the 1942-D Lincoln Wheat Cent saw Denver Mint output surge to over 206 million pieces. DDO-005 exhibits strong spread but light hubbings on the L of LIBERTY, I of IN, and both Ts of TRUST — a diagnostic pattern indicating the hub shifted between passes while the design impressions remained relatively shallow. Die markers UVC-2567 and DMR-022 support a three-stage die life: Stage A at Early Die State (EDS, unconfirmed), Stage B where both obverse and reverse reach Mid-Die State (MDS), and Stage C at Late Die State (LDS, unconfirmed). The confirmed MDS reading at Stage B provides the most reliable reference point for collectors assessing die state on their specimens. Cataloged by VarietyVista, this variety reflects the intense wartime production pace that consumed working dies rapidly and generated multiple hub doubling events across the 1942 Denver output. The 1942-D date preceded the radical composition changes of 1943, when Lincoln Cents shifted to zinc-coated steel, making this one of the last standard bronze issues before wartime metal conservation measures took effect at the Mint.

Die Markers

• UVC-2567
• DMR-022
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References