1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-039

Description

Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1963 1c Pr WDDO-039, this proof doubled die obverse of the 1963 Lincoln Memorial Cent is one of a substantial cluster of proof DDO varieties documented for the date, reflecting the fact that the Philadelphia Mint's proof die shop produced its own working dies through the same multi-impression hubbing process that generated doubled dies among business-strike dies. The distinction lies in the proof die finishing steps: after hubbing, proof dies receive chrome plating and meticulous polishing that produces the brilliant mirror surfaces expected of proof coinage. These additional steps do not eliminate any hubbing anomaly already present in the die, so a doubled die proof cent exhibits both the pristine proof finish and the permanent secondary image created by hub misalignment. The 3,075,645 proof Lincoln cents struck in 1963 were individually fed into the press and struck at higher pressure than circulation issues, and with individual die pairs typically lasting approximately 3,000 strikes, the proof production run consumed roughly a thousand die pairs over the course of the year. Any one of these pairs could have incorporated a doubled obverse die. Collectors should examine proof 1963 cents under magnification with careful lighting that reveals both the reflective field quality and any secondary design images. The year 1963 was the last to produce proof sets before the coin shortage of 1965-67 suspended proof production entirely, lending additional historical significance to proof varieties from this date.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1963 1¢ Pr WDDO-039
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References