1957 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-017

Description

Combining doubled die reverse characteristics with a collectible BIE die break in LIBERTY, this 1957 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent carries dual appeal for variety collectors. The reverse doubling shows extra thickness on the wheat ears, stems, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and dots. The obverse BIE die break — a raised vertical bar between the B and E of LIBERTY resembling an extra letter I — is one of the most popular collecting specialties within the Lincoln Cent series, and finding a BIE on a coin that also carries a doubled die reverse makes this an unusual combination piece. Die clash remnants are also present, indicating the dies made contact without a planchet at some point during their working life. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID 1957 1c WDDR-017, this variety documents three distinct die phenomena on a single pair: hub doubling on the reverse, a BIE fracture on the obverse, and clash marks from die-to-die contact. The 1957 Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck in bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) during the penultimate year of Victor David Brenner's wheat ear reverse, which concluded in 1958. Extra thickness and a spread towards the center shows on both wheat ears and stems. Die Markers: Obverse: Parallel die scratches run SSE from the underside of the chin. Reverse: Strong parallel die scratches run SSW/NNE above the T in CENT. Die scratches run south from the bottom left side of the C in CENT.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Marvin L. Young Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1957 1¢ WDDR-017
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References