1957 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-009

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team, the 1957 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent WDDR-009 displays a center-directed spread visible on EPU (E PLURIBUS UNUM), the dots separating the wheat stalks, and both wheat ears and stems — a broad distribution of doubling across the reverse that exhibits a notable characteristic: the spread decreases in intensity from left to right. This gradient effect indicates the hub misalignment was more pronounced on the left side of the die, creating stronger doubling on the left-positioned design elements that attenuated as it crossed to the right side. A diagnostic die marker on the reverse — a small die gouge (appearing as a dot) above the N in UNITED — assists with attribution. No other cross-references are known beyond the Wexler designation. The 1957 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent represents the penultimate year of the Wheat reverse design in proof format, as the series would transition to the Memorial Cent in 1959. The gradient spread pattern provides collectors with both a visual identification system (strongest doubling on the left) and insight into the three-dimensional geometry of the hub misalignment that created this variety — a misalignment that pivoted around a point, producing maximum displacement on one side while diminishing on the other.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1957 1¢ Pr WDDR-009
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References