1960-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

One of the more dramatic doubled die obverse varieties on the 1960-D Large Date Lincoln Memorial cent, DDO-003 exhibits medium spread east on LIBERTY and the forehead, along with strong tripling on the date where the 9 displays three distinct tails. The upper left edge of the 9 shows particularly strong doubling, making the date area the primary diagnostic zone for this variety. The obverse is identified as ODV-023 (Large Date), tying it to the original hub design used before the well-known Small Date hub was introduced mid-year. Four die markers have been cataloged: UVC-1987, DMR-143, UVC-1988, and DMR-144, providing multiple reference points for confident attribution. The triple-tailed 9 is an especially compelling feature, as tripling indicates the die received at least three slightly offset hub impressions during manufacture — each one embedding a progressively shifted image of the date digits. Denver produced both Large Date and Small Date cents in 1960, and the Large Date subtype was the earlier and more widely produced of the two, meaning this die saw service during the first phase of production.

Die Markers

• UVC-1987; DMR-143; UVC-1988; DMR-144

External References