1946-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Medium spread on the date with a distinctive split tail on the 9 and light extra thickness on LIBERTY identifies this fourth doubled die obverse for the 1946 San Francisco Lincoln Wheat Cent. Tracked by VarietyVista under die markers UVC-1739 and DMR-052, the Stage B die state shows die scratches running north from TY of LIBERTY and a die scratch running north-south through the last S of STATES on the reverse, both at mid-die state (MDS). Stages A (EDS) and C (LDS) remain unconfirmed. An important secondary diagnostic is the mintmark style — cataloged as MMS-004 (trumpet tail), referring to a specific S mintmark punch variant distinguished by a flared tail on the lower terminal of the S. The split tail on the 9 is a particularly memorable diagnostic because it transforms a familiar numeral into a visibly forked shape, making this variety identifiable even under modest magnification. The 1946-S Wheat Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint in the first full year of peace after World War II, when production was ramping back up from wartime levels. San Francisco's cent production was historically lower than Philadelphia or Denver, making S-mint Wheat Cent varieties somewhat less frequently encountered. The trumpet-tail mintmark style adds an extra dimension to this variety's attribution, as mintmark punch identification has become an increasingly sophisticated area of die variety research.

Die Markers

• UVC-1739
• DMR-052
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die scratches North from TY of LIBERTY – MDS
• Die scratch North-South through last S of STATES – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References