1955 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007

Description

Distinct from the legendary 1955 DDO-001 that commands five-figure prices, this proof-only WDDO-007 presents a more specialized attribution within the 1955 Lincoln wheat cent series. The primary diagnostic feature is an extra eyelid visible below Lincoln's normal eyelid on the obverse, a Class II distorted hub doubling effect cataloged under CONECA designation 5-O-II by the Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America. Submitted by Brian Ribar and attributed by the Wexler Team as 1955 1¢ Pr WDDO-007, this variety was struck from proof dies at the Philadelphia Mint, which produced 378,200 proof sets that year. Die markers include numerous north-south die scratches in the field to the right of the bust on the obverse, while the reverse shows no significant attribution markers. The proof designation is critical: this die must not be confused with any of the business-strike DDO varieties from 1955, particularly the iconic DDO-001 through DDO-003 that were produced from circulation-strike dies. Proof Lincoln cents from 1955 were individually struck on specially prepared planchets with mirror-finish fields and frosted devices, meaning this doubled die variety would present with the characteristic proof surface quality. Collectors pursuing a complete inventory of 1955 cent varieties will find WDDO-007 a more attainable target than its famous circulation-strike counterpart, though the proof-only nature limits the available population to pieces originally sold in that year's proof sets.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: 5-O-II
• CONECA: 5-O-II; Wexler Variety ID: 1955 1¢ Pr WDDO-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References