1944-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-010

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista, this 1944 Denver Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits a medium doubled die obverse with an extra eyelid spread to the south, one of the more visually distinctive diagnostics among DDO varieties as it creates a clearly doubled profile on Lincoln's eye. This variety is notable for spanning two separate die marriages: UVC-1169 with DMR-039 covers Stages A and B, while UVC-1203 with DMR-042 documents Stage C with a changed reverse die. Stage A is the early die state, Stage B shows a die crack over V.D.B. at mid-die state with the reverse in late die state, and Stage C displays a stronger die crack over V.D.B. in late die state paired with a fresh mid-die state reverse. The reverse die change between Stages B and C demonstrates how the Mint replaced a worn reverse die while continuing to use the same obverse, creating two distinct die marriages from a single obverse die. Struck in the shell-case alloy of 1944, these cents were produced from recycled brass shell casings during World War II, giving them a slightly different color and composition than standard bronze Lincoln Cents. The Denver Mint's wartime production was substantial as demand for coinage surged during the economic expansion driven by wartime manufacturing.

Die Markers

• UVC-1169
• DMR-039
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die crack over V. D. B. – MDS
• Reverse is LDS
• UVC-1203
• DMR-042
• Stage C:
• Stronger die crack over V. D. B. – LDS
• Reverse die changed – MDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Mark Franzen
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References