1963-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-043

Description

Submitted by David Mulberry, the 1963-D Lincoln Memorial Cent WDDO-043 exhibits doubling inside the upper portion of the numeral 3 in the date, placing it among a cluster of 1963-D varieties whose primary diagnostic feature appears in this same location. The obverse die markers provide the critical distinctions: a die scratch runs northeast-southwest between the 9 in the date and the mint mark, and die scratches run northeast-southwest through RTY in LIBERTY, giving collectors clear attribution points that are visible under moderate magnification. On the reverse, die scratches run east-southeast to west-northwest above the right roof of the Lincoln Memorial and into the R in AMERICA, while a gently curving die scratch runs from the left lower base east-southeast above ON in ONE. These reverse markers are particularly useful because they can be checked independently of the obverse, providing a second confirmation path for attribution. No additional cross-references are currently known. The variety is cataloged as Wexler Variety ID 1963-D 1c WDDO-043 and attributed by the Wexler Team. Denver's 1963 cent production of 1,774,020,400 coins required an enormous inventory of working dies, and each die that received a hubbing misalignment became a potential variety waiting to be discovered. The doubling inside the upper 3 is best observed under at least 10x magnification with strong side-lighting, where the secondary contour line within the curve of the digit separates clearly from the primary impression.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1963-D 1¢ WDDO-043
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References