1958 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005

Description

From the final year of the Lincoln Wheat Cent reverse design, this VarietyVista-cataloged 1958 Proof DDR-005 displays a medium spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM and the left wheat ear. Three documented die stages track the working die's progression: Stage A tentatively classified as early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B tentatively as mid-die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C confirmed with both reverse and obverse in late die state. Die markers UVC-1937 and DMR-009 identify the specific working die. The medium spread intensity means the doubling should be identifiable under moderate magnification, with the E PLURIBUS UNUM letters and the left wheat ear's grain detail both showing secondary contours from the displaced hub impression. As a proof issue, this coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint with polished dies and planchets in Victor David Brenner's bronze composition — 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc — at 3.11 grams. The Wheat Cent reverse had graced the one-cent denomination since 1909 before giving way to Frank Gasparro's Lincoln Memorial design in 1959, making this DDR-005 one of the final proof reverse doubled dies possible in the series.

Die Markers

• UVC-1937
• DMR-009
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Reverse and Obverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Charlie Adkins
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References