1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-011

Description

Eleventh doubled die reverse for the 1956 proof Lincoln Wheat Cent, WDDR-011 deepens the remarkable concentration of DDR varieties from this proof-only date that has become one of the most densely documented in Wheat Cent die variety research. Eleven DDRs from a single proof date — where total production was limited to approximately 669,384 sets — suggests either an unusually high rate of hub misalignment during the 1956 proof die manufacturing cycle or an exceptionally thorough level of researcher scrutiny applied to this date, or both. Proof dies undergo special preparation including polishing and chrome plating to produce the mirror finishes expected by collectors, but this treatment occurs after hubbing and therefore cannot prevent or correct hub doubling that occurred during the die creation process. The mirror fields and frosted devices of proof strikes make any existing doubling more visually prominent than on business strike surfaces. With the Wheat Cent reverse design ending after 1958, the 1956 proof DDRs collectively document a specific window in the history of Victor David Brenner's iconic reverse design. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID: 1956 1¢ Pr WDDR-011, the challenge for collectors lies in precisely identifying which of the eleven cataloged DDRs their specimen represents, requiring careful comparison of spread direction, magnitude, and affected elements.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1956 1¢ Pr WDDR-011
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References