1942-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Presenting nice extra thickness across multiple reverse design elements, the 1942-S Lincoln Wheat Cent WDDR-002 was attributed by the Wexler Team on E PLURIBUS UNUM, both dots flanking the denomination, both wheat ears and stems, OF AMERICA, and the outermost letters of UNITED STATES — a comprehensive spread affecting multiple reverse design elements simultaneously. The breadth of visible doubling across so many elements indicates a significant angular or rotational displacement between hub impressions during die manufacture, producing one of the more visually prominent DDR varieties for the early 1940s Wheat Cent era. Adding complexity to an already notable variety, the obverse die is documented as a minor repunched mintmark listed in the Wexler files — meaning this die pairing combines a doubled die reverse with an RPM obverse, creating a dual-variety coin that appeals to collectors of both error categories. The 1942-S Lincoln Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint during the early years of World War II, one year before the emergency transition to zinc-coated steel planchets in 1943 when copper was redirected to military ordnance production. San Francisco cent production in 1942 generated approximately 85.6 million pieces on standard bronze planchets, and the combination of DDR and RPM on this die pairing makes identified specimens particularly desirable. The extensive spread across multiple design elements makes WDDR-002 detectable under moderate magnification, with the wheat ear doubling often providing the most accessible diagnostic entry point for attribution.

Attribution History

• s:; Wexler Variety ID: 1942-S 1¢ WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References