1946-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Denver Mint's 1946 cent production of over 315 million pieces ranks among the highest annual outputs for any facility in the Wheat Cent series, and variety collectors have documented a correspondingly large number of die varieties from this postwar date. WDDO-002 is the second doubled die obverse cataloged for the 1946-D Lincoln Wheat Cent, evidence that the enormous die inventory required for such production yielded multiple instances of hub misalignment. The postwar era brought changes beyond just alloy composition — returning veterans swelled the workforce, and the economy's shift from wartime to peacetime production affected demand for circulating coinage. These 1946 cents circulated alongside the distinctive shell case and steel cents of 1943-1945, creating a visually diverse pocket change landscape that lasted until worn wartime coins were gradually retired. Doubled die detection on postwar bronze specimens follows established protocols of magnified inspection. Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1946-D 1¢ WDDO-002.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1946-D 1¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References