1962 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-036

Description

Standing as one of the strongest and most broadly distributed proof doubled die obverse varieties in the 1962 Lincoln Memorial Cent catalog, WDDO-036 displays a very strong Class II spread directed toward the rim, affecting the date, IN GOD WE TRUST, the BERTY of LIBERTY, and Lincoln's eyelid. Class II in the Wexler system designates distorted hub doubling, in which the secondary impression was compressed or expanded relative to the primary image, and the "very strong" intensity rating places this among the most visually prominent varieties in the entire 1962 proof DDO population. The outward spread toward the rim pushes secondary images away from the center of the die, making the doubling most apparent on the outer edges of the affected letters and digits. This variety is cross-referenced as CONECA 8-O-V and carries the Wexler Variety ID 1962 1c Pr WDDO-036. It was formerly listed under a different designation before being reassigned during the catalog renumbering. Obverse die markers include a short vertical die gouge between the tops of the D in GOD and the W in WE. On the reverse, a short vertical die scratch appears at the rim above the first T in STATES. The proof striking process, which employed specially polished dies and planchets struck at elevated pressure within the Philadelphia Mint's proof press room, renders the strong Class II spread in exceptional clarity against the mirror-finish fields. The 1962 proof mintage of 3,218,019 sets marks the final proof production in the original 95% copper alloy, and the limited die life of approximately 3,000 impressions per proof die constrains the potential surviving population of this variety. Collectors should confirm the outward directionality of the spread on both the date and the BERTY of LIBERTY, using the eyelid doubling as a supplementary portrait-zone verification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: 8-O-V Comments: This variety was formerly listed as
• CONECA: 8-O-V Comments: This variety was formerly listed as; Wexler Variety ID: 1962 1¢ Pr WDDO-036
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References