1943 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-011

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 1943 1¢ WDDO-011 and cross-referenced as CONECA 18-O-I, this 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent doubled die obverse exhibits Class I clockwise spread on LIBERTY, 943 in the date, and slightly on IN GOD WE TRUST. Class I doubling results from a rotational difference between hub impressions, producing a spread that increases with distance from the pivot point. The reverse die carries an extensive array of identifying markers: a strong die gouge between the lower C and E in CENT, die chips on the upper C in CENT, strong die gouges between the lower U and N in UNITED, die gouges protruding from the upper left of both U and N, die gouges from the upper left and lower left of the O in OF, a die gouge from the top of the C in AMERICA, and a north-south die scratch through the C in AMERICA. The obverse adds several short die scratches oriented northwest-southeast between the bowtie and chin. Struck on zinc-coated steel planchets during World War II to conserve copper for the war effort, the 1943 cent remains one of the most recognized wartime composition changes in American numismatics.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Marc Serafine Cross References: CONECA: 18-O-I
• CONECA: 18-O-I; Wexler Variety ID: 1943 1¢ WDDO-011
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References