1944 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

With extra thickness visible on the date, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST, this 1944 Lincoln Wheat Cent DDO-003 carries die markers UVC-1610 and DMR-004. Three die stages are recorded: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed); Stage B at mid-die state (unconfirmed); and Stage C where both obverse and reverse have reached late die state, confirming the die served through its full useful life. The confirmed late die state at Stage C means that specimens from the final production run will show increased die wear that may partially obscure the extra thickness, making earlier die state examples preferable for clear attribution. Lincoln Wheat Cents struck in 1944 returned to a modified copper alloy — the shell case composition of 95% copper and 5% zinc, recycled from spent military brass cartridge cases — after the emergency steel cent experiment of 1943. The shell case alloy produced a slightly different color than pre-war cents, and the high wartime mintages at Philadelphia ensured substantial die consumption, increasing the opportunity for doubled die varieties to enter circulation.

Die Markers

• UVC-1610
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References