1963 Proof Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-061

Description

Standing among the highest-numbered proof-specific doubled die obverse entries for the 1963 Lincoln Memorial Cent, WDDO-061 represents the continuing expansion of a catalog that has already established this date as one of the most variety-rich in proof Lincoln cent numismatics. The Philadelphia Mint's proof cent production in 1963 generated 3,075,645 coins, the highest proof cent output of the pre-shortage era, and the die consumption required to produce this quantity at a rate of approximately 3,000 impressions per die pair meant that a large number of individually manufactured dies passed through the hubbing process during the year. Each die's hubbing session was an independent event, and when the working hub was not perfectly aligned between successive impressions, the resulting doubled image became a permanent part of the die, carried into proof service beneath the chrome plating and mirror polishing that defined the finished proof die. WDDO-061 preserves one such hubbing event. The proof context ensures that surviving specimens exhibit the deep mirror fields, frosted devices, and sharp edge definition that make proof coins exceptionally well suited for variety detection under magnification. The year 1963 holds additional historical weight as the last date before Congress directed the Mint to suspend proof production and remove mint marks beginning in 1965, a response to the nationwide coin shortage that would reshape American coinage for three years. Collectors should examine the obverse under at least 10x magnification with angled lighting, comparing observations against published Wexler reference materials. The coin was struck on a 95% copper and 5% zinc planchet with the Brenner portrait and Gasparro's Memorial reverse.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References