1942 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-007

Description

Showing light extra thickness across all lettering and the date, this seventh cataloged doubled die obverse for the 1942 Lincoln Wheat Cent was documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-1524 and DMR-009. Doubled die obverses form during the hubbing process when the hub and working die are slightly misaligned between successive impressions, transferring a shifted duplicate image onto the die face. Three die stages have been documented: Stage A in Early Die State (EDS, unconfirmed), Stage B in Mid Die State (MDS, unconfirmed), and Stage C where both the obverse and reverse reach Late Die State (LDS), showing progressive die wear and deterioration. The 1942 Lincoln Cent holds particular significance as the final year of the standard bronze composition before the wartime zinc-coated steel cents of 1943 — the Mint was already preparing for the copper conservation that would remove this strategic metal from cent production during World War II. Philadelphia struck over 657 million cents in 1942, a massive production run that consumed hundreds of die pairs and created ample opportunity for doubled die varieties to emerge. The light extra thickness classification indicates subtle but verifiable doubling visible under magnification across IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the 1942 date.

Die Markers

• UVC-1524
• DMR-009
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Larry Patterson
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References