1958 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Among the most celebrated rarities in all of American numismatics, this 1958 Lincoln Wheat Cent doubled die obverse is known from only three specimens — a population so small that each confirmed example commands extraordinary attention. CONECA catalogs it as 1-O-I; the Cherrypickers' Guide assigns FS-01-1958-101; Breen lists it as #2222. The doubling is Class I clockwise, a dramatic mechanical shift of the hub during the hubbing operation that spread every obverse element clockwise with exceptional force: IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the date, the ear, hair detail, the eyelid, bowtie, and vest folds all carry bold secondary impressions. One MS64RD specimen sold at auction for $150,000, a figure consistent with its three-known status. The variety was deemed genuine by officials of the U.S. Mint itself, and its history is documented on page 361 of "The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents — Second Edition" by John A. Wexler and Kevin Flynn. Die markers on the obverse include three parallel scratches south between the T and Y of LIBERTY, a short scratch west-northwest to east-southeast below and between the O and D of GOD, a scratch north-northwest to south-southeast between the T and R of TRUST, and a short scratch east-southeast from the upper right R of TRUST. No reverse die markers are noted.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Stewart Blay Cross References: CONECA: 1-O-I, Cherrypickers: FS-01-1958-101 (022.150, Breen: #2222 Comments: Only three specimens of this variety are known to exist making it nearly impossible to place a value on the variety. One specimen in MS64RD condition did sell for $150,000. The variety has been deemed genuine by officials of the U.S. Mint. A detailed history of the variety can be found on page 361 of The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents - Second Edition by John A. Wexler and Kevin Flynn.
• CONECA: 1-O-I, Cherrypickers: FS-01-1958-101 (022.150, Breen: #2222 Comments: Only three specimens of this variety are known to exist making it nearly impossible to place a value on the variety. One specimen in MS64RD condition did sell for $150,000. The variety has been deemed genuine by officials of the U.S. Mint. A detailed history of the variety can be found on page 361 of The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents - Second Edition by John A. Wexler and Kevin Flynn.; Wexler Variety ID: 1958 1¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References