1955 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

Proof Lincoln wheat cents from the celebrated 1955 vintage — the same year as the legendary DDO that commands five-figure prices — also yield reverse doubled dies, and WDDR-003 documents a very close spread toward the center on E PLURIBUS UNUM (EPU), the separating dots, and both upper wheat ears on the reverse. The Wexler Team cataloged this as Wexler Variety ID: 1955 1c Pr WDDR-003, noting no significant die markers on either surface. Philadelphia produced approximately 378,200 proof sets in 1955, each containing a carefully struck cent with mirror-finish fields. The "very close" modifier indicates the hub impressions were nearly superimposed, creating secondary images so near the primary that they appear more as thickening than as separated doubling — demanding high-power magnification and precise lighting to resolve. The affected elements span three distinct reverse zones: the motto above the denomination, the ornamental dots that punctuate the design, and the upper portions of the wheat ears that flank ONE CENT. Victor David Brenner's wheat-stalk reverse provides organic curved forms in the ears that display very close doubling differently than geometric letter strokes — the ear tips and inner ridges may show subtle widening or outline duplication that confirms the hub misalignment. The dots provide perhaps the cleanest diagnostic, as their simple circular geometry reveals any displacement with maximum clarity. Proof 1955 cents already attract collector interest by association with the famous DDO, making documented proof varieties from this date particularly appealing to specialists.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1955 1¢ Pr WDDR-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References