1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-005

Description

Among the more visually compelling Lincoln Wheat Cent DDR varieties, the 1956 proof WDDR-005 — cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1956 1¢ Pr WDDR-005 — presents strong extra thickness and separation on the letters EPU (from E PLURIBUS UNUM), both of the decorative dots flanking the denomination, both of the upper wheat ears, and both of the wheat stems. This multi-element spread across six distinct design features indicates a hub displacement substantial enough to produce clearly visible doubling across the full width of the reverse design. No significant obverse die markers were noted, but the reverse carries a short vertical die gouge to the right of the top of the left dot and a small die gouge (dot) on the top of the E in ONE. No other cross-references are currently known. The Pr designation confirms this as a proof die variety — 1956 proof Lincoln Cents were struck at the Philadelphia Mint on polished planchets using specially prepared dies, and the mirror-finish fields of proof coins dramatically enhance the visibility of extra thickness and separation on design elements. The wheat ears and stems, composed of fine parallel lines, are especially sensitive indicators of hub doubling: even modest displacement produces detectable line splitting or thickening in the detailed botanical engraving. The dual-dot doubling is diagnostically useful because the dots' simple circular geometry makes any distortion immediately apparent. Strong spread intensity combined with proof surface quality makes WDDR-005 one of the more displayable DDR varieties from the final years of the Wheat Cent series, which ended with the 1958 date.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1956 1¢ Pr WDDR-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References