1954-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista, the 1954-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004 on the Lincoln Wheat Cent displays a medium spread on the digit 4 of the date. The Lincoln Wheat Cent, designed by Victor David Brenner (obverse) with the wheat ears reverse designed by the Mint's engraving staff, was struck at the Denver Mint in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc at 3.11 grams and 19.05 mm diameter. Die markers from VarietyVista are UVC-3479 and DMR-011, with three documented die states: Stage A at Early to Mid Die State shows a long horizontal die scratch under WE and light vertical die scratches through the UN of UNITED, Stage B at Mid Die State remains unconfirmed, and Stage C at Late Die State is also unconfirmed. The long horizontal die scratch under the letters WE provides a reliable attribution diagnostic present from early in the die's working life. The medium spread specifically on the final digit 4 indicates the hub shift during die preparation primarily affected the date area, a common occurrence where the date punches or hub impression shifted between impressions. The 1954-D had a mintage of 251,552,500 pieces, making it a plentiful date in circulated grades though doubled die varieties naturally occur at much lower frequencies within the total mintage.

Die Markers

• UVC-3479
• DMR-011
• Stage A:
• Long, horizontal die scratch under WE – EDS
• Light, vertical die scratches through UN of UNITED – EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Keith Christenson
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References