1943 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-018

Description

Eighteenth doubled die obverse in the 1943 steel cent catalog, WDDO-018 continues the dense documentation of hub doubling events across what may be the most variety-rich single date in Lincoln cent history. The 1943 zinc-coated steel composition — adopted as an emergency measure when copper was diverted to ammunition production — created unique metallurgical conditions during both die preparation and coin striking. Wexler Variety ID: 1943 1¢ WDDO-018. Steel planchets, being harder than bronze, imposed different stress patterns on working dies during striking, potentially accelerating die degradation and complicating the distinction between genuine hub doubling and die deterioration effects on later-state specimens. No die markers or competing catalog references have been published for WDDO-018, so attribution relies solely on matching the observed doubling pattern to the Wexler Team's reference diagnostics. Philadelphia's wartime facility operated at maximum capacity throughout 1943, producing these steel cents alongside other denominations under intense schedule pressure.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1943 1¢ WDDO-018
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References