1944 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-025

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team, the 1944 Lincoln Wheat Cent WDDO-025 displays a weak extra eyelid below Lincoln's normal eyelid, along with doubling visible under the bottom of the back of the earlobe — two anatomical areas on Victor David Brenner's portrait that are sensitive indicators of hub doubling. The extra eyelid effect, even when weak, confirms that the hub impression created a secondary image of the eye area, and the earlobe doubling provides a second diagnostic point on the same die. A die gouge in the field to the right of the bottom of Lincoln's chin serves as a die marker, while no significant reverse markers are noted. The 1944 Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in brass composition — the wartime alloy made from recycled spent military shell casings that replaced the standard bronze during 1944-1946. As WDDO-025, this is the twenty-fifth documented doubled die obverse for the 1944 date, reflecting the enormous wartime production volume at the Philadelphia Mint. The weak intensity of the extra eyelid distinguishes this from stronger doubled dies where the secondary impression is immediately visible, requiring more careful examination under magnification to confirm the subtle secondary line below the normal eyelid structure.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Keith Christenson Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1944 1¢ WDDO-025
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References