1944-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

After the widely criticized steel cent experiment of 1943, the United States Mint switched to recycled brass cartridge shell casings for Lincoln Cents beginning in 1944, creating what collectors know as "shell case cents." The Denver Mint produced 430,578,000 of these brass-alloy cents in 1944 — the highest D-mint Lincoln Wheat Cent production figure on record — and WDDO-004 documents the fourth doubled die obverse identified from this enormous output. The shell case alloy imparts a slightly different color compared to pre-war bronze cents, with a somewhat lighter golden hue that experienced collectors can distinguish at a glance. Doubled die obverses on 1944-D shell case cents are identified through the same diagnostic methods used across the Lincoln Cent series: examining LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and Lincoln's portrait for evidence of secondary hub impressions. Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1944-D 1¢ WDDO-004.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1944-D 1¢ WDDO-004
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References