1955 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-008

Description

Light spread on WE TRUST combined with medium rotational spread on IN GOD identifies this proof-only eighth doubled die obverse for the 1955 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent — a date forever associated with the famous DDO-001, the most celebrated doubled die in American numismatics. While DDO-001 commands five-figure prices, DDO-008 represents the depth of die variety research on this storied date. VarietyVista catalogs it under two die state entries: UVC-1847 with DMR-010 for Stage A (obverse and reverse in EDS), and UVC-2516 with DMR-020 for Stage B where the obverse reaches MDS, the reverse die was changed — itself listed as DDR-005 — and both are in Mid Die State. The reverse die change between stages is a significant die marriage detail, meaning early and late specimens of DDO-008 are paired with different reverse dies. Stage C in Late Die State remains unconfirmed. The medium rotational spread on IN GOD, combined with lighter spread on WE TRUST, suggests a hub rotation during impression rather than a simple lateral or vertical shift. The 1955 proof Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at Philadelphia in limited quantities as part of the proof set, and the eight-plus documented DDOs for this date reflect the exhaustive study collectors have applied to every 1955-dated cent in hopes of finding another major doubled die.

Die Markers

• UVC-1847
• DMR-010
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• UVC-2516
• DMR-020
• Stage B:
• Obverse is MDS
• Reverse die changed – MDS
• Reverse is LISTED as DDR-005
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles, Mike Lumpkin
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References