1944 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-010

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1944 1¢ WDDO-010 and extensively cross-referenced as CONECA 10-O-IV and Coppercoins 1944P-1DO-028, this Lincoln Wheat Cent displays a Class V counterclockwise spread visible on the 944 in the date, on both T's in TRUST, and as an extra eyelid just below the normal eyelid — a rotational doubling pattern where the secondary hub impression was pivoted slightly counterclockwise relative to the primary, producing displacement that increases with distance from the pivot point. The extra eyelid feature is particularly noteworthy as a facial detail anomaly, where the fine line of Lincoln's eyelid is reproduced as a parallel secondary line just below its normal position, creating one of the more visually distinctive diagnostics in the variety. Obverse die markers include circular die scratches running parallel to the rim throughout the obverse and a die gouge protruding from the front of the vest south of the 19 in the date. Reverse markers include short die scratches running northwest to southeast between the upper U and M in UNUM and a die scratch running west-southwest to east-northeast below the ES in STATES. The CONECA Class IV designation indicates offset hub doubling, while the combination with the Wexler Class V (pivoted) classification suggests the doubling involves both rotational and translational components during the hubbing event. The 1944 Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in the standard bronze alloy of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse, and the wheat ears reverse served from 1909 through 1958. The 1944-P had an enormous wartime mintage exceeding one billion pieces, and the large die population generated numerous doubled die varieties including this tenth-cataloged obverse example.

Attribution History

• Discovered by James C. Moreland Cross References: CONECA: 10-O-IV, Coppercoins: 1944P-1DO-028
• CONECA: 10-O-IV, Coppercoins: 1944P-1DO-028; Wexler Variety ID: 1944 1¢ WDDO-010
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References