1958 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-002

Description

Second cataloged doubled die reverse for the 1958 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent, DDR-002 displays a light spread on both wheat ears, with very close triple spreading on the lower right wheat stalk and stem. VarietyVista assigns UVC-1934 and DMR-006. Triple spreading — where three distinct hub impressions are discernible rather than the typical two — indicates at least three misaligned impressions during die preparation, producing a complex layered doubling pattern. The lower right stalk and stem show this triple effect most clearly, while the remainder of the wheat ears exhibit standard doubled spreading. The 1958 date holds terminal significance: it was the final year of the wheat ear reverse, in continuous use since 1909. Beginning in 1959, Frank Gasparro's Lincoln Memorial replaced the wheat ears. As a proof issue, this coin was struck on polished planchets with polished dies at Philadelphia, producing mirror fields that render even subtle doubling more discernible. Struck in 95% copper at 19mm, examine both wheat ears for the light spread and focus on the lower right stalk and stem for the distinctive triple spreading.

Die Markers

• UVC-1934
• DMR-006
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References