1944-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

The fifth doubled die obverse for the 1944-S Lincoln Wheat Cent, DDO-005 displays light spread on the lower portion of LIB in LIBERTY, where secondary images of the letters appear shifted slightly from the primary impressions. Die markers include UVC-1649 and DMR-017, with three documented die states: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B in mid-die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C where both obverse and reverse are confirmed in late die state. The confirmed Stage C LDS observation means the die was used extensively before the doubling was documented, potentially affecting the crispness of the doubled image. This die is paired with mintmark style MMS-005, characterized by straight serifs on the S mintmark — the angular, non-curved terminations of the S's strokes provide a secondary attribution point beyond the doubling itself. The 1944-S was struck at the San Francisco Mint using shell-case brass — recycled military cartridge casings composed of approximately 70% copper and 30% zinc — giving the coins a subtly different golden hue compared to pre-war bronze cents. Cataloged by VarietyVista. Examine the lower portions of L, I, and B in LIBERTY under magnification for the light secondary spread, and check the S mintmark for the straight-serif MMS-005 configuration to confirm the die pairing.

Die Markers

• UVC-1649
• DMR-017
• 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