1946-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

The wheat ear reverse that gives these coins their popular collecting name — "Wheat Cents" — was designed by Brenner alongside the obverse portrait and served the denomination for its first forty-nine years, from 1909 through 1958. While DDO varieties are identified on the obverse, the reverse design provides context for understanding the coin as a complete artistic and numismatic object. Its twin wheat stalks flanking ONE CENT became one of the most recognized designs in American coinage, and the series' closure in 1958 transformed circulating currency into a collectible category almost overnight. WDDO-003 from the 1946-S issue is the third doubled die obverse variety cataloged for San Francisco's postwar bronze production, part of the comprehensive Wexler documentation that covers the Lincoln Cent across all dates, mintmarks, and compositions. Collectors pursuing this variety join a tradition of careful examination that has built the most detailed die variety catalog in American numismatics. Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1946-S 1¢ WDDO-003.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1946-S 1¢ WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References