1961 Proof Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-016

Description

Perhaps the most broadly distributed doubled die reverse variety in the 1961 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent series, WDDR-016 carries a Class V counterclockwise spread from a pivot at approximately 10:00 that touches an extraordinary array of reverse design elements: ONE CENT, the lower right Memorial, the designer's initials FG, TES in STATES, OF AMERICA, IBUS in PLURIBUS, and UM in UNUM. The sheer number of affected inscriptions and design areas reflects the geometric reality of rotational hub doubling — with the pivot situated near the upper right portion of the die face at 10:00, the counterclockwise arc sweeps across the lower and left regions of the reverse, catching partial letter groups in multiple inscriptions as the displacement increases with distance from the fulcrum. The selective appearance of doubling on partial words — TES rather than full STATES, IBUS rather than full PLURIBUS, UM rather than full UNUM — provides a diagnostic fingerprint that is virtually unique to this pivot-point geometry, offering collectors a reliable pattern-matching criterion during attribution. No obverse die markers have been noted, but the reverse carries three diagnostics: a die scratch running SW to NE on the right base of the Memorial, a die gouge dot near the center of the first Memorial bay, and a die gouge above the left side of the top of the third column. These three markers, distributed across different architectural zones of the Memorial, provide a robust multi-point confirmation system that supplements the already distinctive rotational doubling pattern.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted. Reverse: A die scratch runs from SW to NE on the right base of the Memorial. A die gouge (dot) can be found near the center of the 1st Memorial bay. A die gouge can be found above the left side of the top of the 3rd column.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References