1956-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-032

Description

Bronze alloy cent planchets — composed of 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc — exhibit surface characteristics that influence doubling visibility under magnification. The warm reddish-brown color of original mint surfaces provides strong contrast against the micro-shadows cast by secondary hub impressions, while the metal's malleability allows design elements to be struck up with sufficient sharpness to preserve fine doubling detail. On circulated specimens, the progressive loss of original surface through wear and environmental exposure can diminish the visibility of subtle varieties, making well-preserved examples particularly valuable for attribution work. WDDO-032 from the 1956-D Lincoln Wheat Cent is the thirty-second doubled die obverse recorded for this date. The standard bronze composition had been in continuous use on Lincoln Cents since 1947, following the brief wartime and postwar experiments with steel (1943) and shell case brass (1944-1946). Denver's billion-coin output produced this variety along with numerous others. Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1956-D 1¢ WDDO-032.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1956-D 1¢ WDDO-032
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References