1943 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-025

Description

The 1943 DDO-025 is a doubled die obverse variety on the Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, cataloged by VarietyVista as UVC-3475 with die-marriage reference DMR-040. Struck on zinc-coated steel planchets — the emergency wartime composition adopted in 1943 when copper was diverted to military production — this variety displays a medium spread toward the south on TY of LIBERTY, with light spread on the lower portion of the motto. The steel composition introduces unique preservation challenges: the zinc coating is prone to corrosion, meaning die varieties on this date must often be attributed from examples with surface issues less problematic on standard bronze cents. Three die stages have been documented: Stage A shows both obverse and reverse in early die state, while Stages B and C remain unconfirmed. The confirmed early die state suggests the best-preserved examples come from early in the die's run, before accumulated wear softened the doubling. The 1943 steel cent is one of the most recognized dates in American numismatics, and variety collectors prize doubled dies from this distinctive wartime issue.

Die Markers

• UVC-3475
• DMR-040
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Keith Christenson
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References