1959 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001
Error
Description
Among the most collectible doubled dies from the inaugural year of the Lincoln Memorial reverse, WDDO-001 displays a Class II spread towards the rim that manifests as separation lines on the 59 and extra thickness on the 19 of the date. Early die state specimens also reveal doubling on the letters of LIBERTY. Cataloged as CONECA 1-O-II, Cherrypickers FS-01-1959-101 (022.2), Crawford CDDO-001, and Coppercoins 1959P-1DO-001, this variety progresses through four documented die states. In Stage A, numerous die scratches run WNW to ESE in front of and behind the bust, with a die scratch connecting the lower T and Y of LIBERTY. By Stage B these scratches weaken, and by Stage C most have faded. Stage D introduces a short, strong horizontal die scratch above the B of LIBERTY and a small die gouge below the I of LIBERTY. The reverse likewise evolves: Stage A shows a die scratch running SSE to NNW inside the upper N of ONE, numerous scratches running NNW from the top right Memorial, a scratch on the right end of the right Memorial base, and scratches running NNW to SSE above the statue of Lincoln. After heavy die abrasion in Stage B, the upper scratches disappear while a die gouge appears below the E in AMERICA and another near the rim ENE of the designer's initials. Stage C weakens the remaining scratches further, and by Stage D the die reaches a very late state with strong die gouges on the left side of the bottom of the 12th Memorial column, below the left end of the Memorial, and midway between the 12th column and the 2nd A in AMERICA. Values range from approximately $10 in XF to $35 in MS65RD.
Die Markers
- Obverse: Die scratches on Jefferson's collar.
- Reverse: Die scratch in lower portion of left arch.