1952-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-012

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team, this 1952 Denver Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent doubled die obverse exhibits an extra eyelid on Lincoln's portrait, a diagnostic feature that results from hub doubling shifting the die impression slightly between hubbing cycles. The extra eyelid creates a secondary outline on the upper eyelid that serves as the primary attribution marker for this variety. The 1952-D was produced during the post-war era when Denver Mint cent production remained substantial, striking over 746 million pieces that year. Such enormous output demanded many die pairs, and the mechanical process of creating working dies through multiple hubbing impressions periodically produced the slight misalignments that generate doubled die varieties. WDDO-012 represents the twelfth cataloged doubled die obverse for the 1952-D date, indicating thorough examination by variety specialists over the decades. The Wheat Cent reverse, designed by Victor David Brenner and in continuous use since 1909, would remain in production through 1958 before being replaced by Frank Gasparro's Lincoln Memorial design. Extra eyelid varieties, while subtle, are among the more consistently identifiable doubled die features on Lincoln Cents. An extra eyelid can be found southeast of the normal eyelid. Die Markers: Obverse: A die scratch runs northeast from the middle front of the forehead. Two die scratches run northeast from the tops of the E and R of LIBERTY. A curving die gouge can be found below and between the O and D of GOD. Reverse: A die scratch runs WSW from the bottom right N of UNITED. A die scratch runs ENE from the bottom right 1st S of STATES to the 1st T.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lucy Ginden Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1952-D 1¢ WDDO-012
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References