1948-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Displaying extreme extra thickness on TRUST with strong extra thickness across all remaining lettering, date, and the eyelid, the 1948-S DDO-002 Lincoln Wheat Cent ranks among the more visually prominent doubled die obverses for its date. Cataloged by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-1770 and DMR-013, this variety presents three documented die stages: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B with both obverse and reverse in mid die state, and Stage C with both in late die state. The comments note that the S mintmark is tipped northwest and that this variety is stronger than DDO-003, establishing a qualitative hierarchy among the doubled dies documented for this date. Doubled dies form during hubbing when a working die receives multiple impressions with slight misalignment, and the "extra thickness" description indicates the doubling manifests as design elements appearing bolder and wider than normal rather than showing a clearly separated secondary image. The 1948-S Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint during the postwar period when the United States economy was transitioning from wartime footing, and cent production across all three mints was returning to peacetime levels. The extreme strength of the doubling on TRUST makes this the focal point for attribution, with the eyelid doubling serving as a secondary confirmation point — eyelid doubling is particularly valued by collectors because it represents doubling on Lincoln's portrait itself rather than solely on peripheral lettering.

Die Markers

• UVC-1770
• DMR-013
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

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

External References