1947-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

First cataloged doubled die reverse for the 1947 Denver Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, DDR-001 displays light spread on the lower wheat ears and stems of Victor David Brenner's iconic reverse design. As the inaugural DDR entry for this date and mintmark, it holds foundational significance in the 1947-D variety catalog. The VarietyVista catalog assigns UVC-1757 and DMR-011, with Stage A documented at Early to Mid Die State showing die scratches under the LUR of PLURIBUS and the obverse also at Early to Mid Die State. Stages B and C remain unconfirmed at Mid and Late Die State respectively. The VarietyVista team has noted that they need to see a specimen for new color photographs and die stage information, indicating this variety was initially documented from older reference material that predates current imaging standards. The light spread on the lower wheat ears and stems affects the organic, curving elements at the bottom of the reverse — design features where even subtle hub displacement produces visible separation due to the fine line work of the wheat ear rendering. The 1947-D Wheat Cent was produced during the early postwar period when the Denver Mint resumed normal operations after the disruptions of World War II. Cent production in 1947 was robust, with Denver contributing a significant share of the total output. The combination of first-in-sequence status and the request for additional specimen examination suggests this variety awaits further research that could refine its die stage documentation and provide updated photographic records.

Die Markers

• UVC-1757
• DMR-011
• Stage A:
• Die scratches under LUR of PLURIBUS – EMDS
• Obverse is EMDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill McMurray
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References