1957 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-012

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as WDDR-012, this 1957 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits a very close spread towards the center on UNUM as well as on the right wheat ear and stem — a combination of text and design-element doubling that confirms hub displacement across multiple areas of the reverse die. Two reverse die markers aid attribution: a short vertical die gouge to the right of the top of the N in UNUM, and a small die gouge below the left side of the U in UNITED. These independent markers allow confident die identification even when the very close doubling itself requires careful magnification to discern. Cross-referenced as Wexler 1957 1-cent Proof WDDR-012, this variety holds special significance as a Proof issue from the final year that the Wheat Cent reverse appeared on Proof coinage — the Lincoln Memorial reverse debuted on business strikes and Proofs beginning in 1959, making 1957 and 1958 Proof Wheat Cents the last of their kind. The very close spread towards center is characteristic of hub compression during die production, and the mirrored Proof surfaces enhance visibility of even the most subtle displacement on the wheat ear's fine grain lines.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1957 1¢ Pr WDDR-012
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References