1943-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-020

Description

Twentieth doubled die obverse cataloged for the 1943-S Lincoln Wheat Cent, this DDO emerged during wartime production at the San Francisco Mint. In 1943, all Lincoln Cents were struck on zinc-coated steel planchets as a copper conservation measure for the war effort, giving these coins their distinctive silvery appearance and magnetic properties. The steel planchet composition affected die wear patterns and surface characteristics differently than the standard bronze alloy, potentially influencing how hub doubling manifested on struck coins. Obverse die markers include a die dot present between the I and N of IN, along with a die crack on the far west base of the bust running southwest to the rim. Reverse markers: a die gouge running south from the B in PLURIBUS to the N in ONE, and a diagonal die scratch from the second T in STATES northwest to the N in CENT. Cross-referenced under the Wexler system as 1943-S 1¢ WDDO-020 by the Wexler Team. Twenty DDOs for the 1943-S date reflects vigorous variety hunting on this historically significant wartime issue.

Attribution History

• s:; Wexler Variety ID: 1943-S 1¢ WDDO-020
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References