1964 Proof Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-033

Description

Cataloged as the thirty-third Wexler doubled die obverse in the Proof-prefixed sequence for the 1964 Lincoln cent, this variety sits deep in a catalog that extends well past thirty entries for proof issues alone. When combined with the business strike DDO varieties, the total 1964 Philadelphia doubled die obverse count is extraordinary by any standard, reflecting both the massive scale of die production and the thoroughness of the variety research community. The Philadelphia Mint produced 3,950,762 proof cents in 1964 alongside 2,648,575,000 business strikes, consuming an enormous number of dies across both production lines. Every proof die was manufactured through the same multi-impression hubbing process as business strike dies, with each hubbing event carrying an inherent probability of misalignment that increases with the number of impressions required. No specific doubling description, die markers, cross-references, or expert attributions have been published for this variety beyond the Wexler catalog listing. For collectors, the high WDDO numbers often correlate with more subtle doubling spreads that demand careful examination under strong magnification. The reflective surfaces of proof coins can work either for or against the examiner: some forms of doubling are amplified by the mirror finish, while others are masked until the coin is tilted to a specific angle under directional lighting. Struck on a polished 3.11-gram, 19mm bronze planchet of 95% copper and 5% tin-zinc.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References