1945-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Presenting strong extra thickness across three major obverse elements — the date, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST — this third doubled die obverse for the 1945-D Lincoln Wheat Cent carries VarietyVista codes UVC-1693 and DMR-020 and tracks an unusually complete four-stage die progression from Early Die State through Very Late Die State. Stage A (EDS) remains unconfirmed, Stage B shows both obverse and reverse at Mid-Die State, Stage C documents both at Late Die State, and Stage D captures both at Very Late Die State (VLDS) — a fourth stage that is uncommonly recorded and indicates this die remained in service well beyond the point where most dies would be retired. The VLDS designation means the die had deteriorated to a point where significant wear, flow lines, and surface breakdown are visible on the struck coins, yet production continued. VarietyVista notes that the mintmark position on DDO-003 sits higher than on DDO-001, providing a quick diagnostic comparison between the two leading doubled die obverses for this date. The 1945-D was struck at the Denver Mint during the final months of World War II, and Denver Mint cent production was substantial, consuming many die pairs across the year's run. Strong extra thickness on the date, LIBERTY, and motto indicates a significant hub displacement during die preparation, producing a variety that is detectable under moderate magnification and potentially visible to sharp-eyed observers on high-grade specimens. The four documented die stages offer collectors the rare opportunity to assemble a complete die life progression set, tracing the working die from fresh installation through extreme deterioration.

Die Markers

• UVC-1693
• DMR-020
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS
• Stage D:
• Obverse and Reverse are VLDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References