1956 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005

Description

Targeting the lower wheat ears and stems on Victor David Brenner's penultimate-year reverse, this 1956 Proof DDR-005 presents light spread on a different area than the 1955 DDR-006's upper wheat ears and E PLURIBUS — despite both being proof reverse doubled dies from consecutive years. The doubling on the lower wheat ears targets the botanical elements flanking ONE CENT, requiring examination of the curving grain stalks for secondary contours. Three die stages are documented: Stage A tentatively as early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B tentatively as mid-die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C confirmed with both reverse and obverse in late die state. Die markers UVC-1877 and DMR-014 identify the working die. This Philadelphia Mint proof was struck in bronze — 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc — at 3.11 grams. The Wheat Cent reverse would serve one final year in 1958 before Frank Gasparro's Lincoln Memorial design replaced it in 1959. Examine both lower wheat ears and their stems under magnification for the light spread that distinguishes this proof doubled die.

Die Markers

• UVC-1877
• DMR-014
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Reverse and Obverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References