1942 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Medium extra thickness on E PLURIBUS UNUM and both upper wheat ears identifies the first doubled die reverse cataloged by VarietyVista for the 1942 Lincoln Wheat Cent. Die markers UVC-1527 and DMR-012 track three die stages: Stage A at early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B with reverse and obverse at late-to-mid die state, and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The 1942 Wheat Cent was the last year of standard bronze composition before the Mint's wartime experiment with zinc-coated steel cents in 1943 — a dramatic materials change driven by the need to conserve copper for ammunition shell casings. Philadelphia struck hundreds of millions of cents in 1942 as America mobilized for total war following Pearl Harbor, and the enormous production volume generated numerous die varieties now systematically documented by researchers. Extra thickness doubling — often classified as Class VI — occurs when hub impressions enter the die at slightly different depths on successive strokes, causing design elements to appear broader and more pronounced without the distinct lateral displacement seen in other doubled die classes. Brenner's wheat ears provided the fine grain detail and thin stems where this thickening effect becomes most apparent under magnification, particularly on the upper portions of the wheat ears where the design elements are most delicate.

Die Markers

• UVC-1527
• DMR-012
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are LMDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References