1948-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Extra thickness on IN GOD WE TRUST — with lesser but visible thickening on LIBERTY and the date — defines this premier Wexler-cataloged doubled die obverse for the 1948-S Lincoln Wheat Cent. The WDDO-001 designation marks this as the first and typically most significant doubled die obverse documented for the date and mint, making it the primary variety target for specialists examining 1948-S cents. Hub doubling manifesting as "extra thickness" indicates the secondary impression was very close to the primary, producing design elements that appear bolder or heavier than normal rather than showing separated doubled images. Die markers include an obverse die gouge south-southeast of the S mintmark and a strong reverse die gouge extending southwest from the rim above the left dot. Cross-referenced through CONECA as 3-O-VI (Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America classification), this variety appears in multiple reference systems. The 1948-S was a San Francisco Mint product, and during this era the S mintmark was individually hand-punched into each working die, making every die pair unique in its mintmark placement details. San Francisco struck over 81 million cents in 1948, a healthy post-war mintage. The Wexler Team documented this variety, and the CONECA cross-reference 3-O-VI provides an independent attribution pathway through a different classification methodology, enhancing confidence in the variety's legitimacy.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines Cross References: CONECA: 3-O-VI
• CONECA: 3-O-VI; Wexler Variety ID: 1948-S 1¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References