1964 Proof Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-034

Description

Holding the thirty-fourth position in the Proof-prefixed doubled die obverse catalog for the 1964 Lincoln cent, this variety is a product of the Philadelphia Mint's final year of proof coin production before the 1965-67 suspension. The 1964 proof cent mintage of 3,950,762 pieces was the largest proof cent production up to that point, driven by strong collector demand and the U.S. Mint's effort to fulfill orders before the anticipated suspension of proof sets. With proof dies limited to approximately 3,000 strikes each, the 1964 proof run required well over a thousand die pairs, and each pair was subject to the same hubbing imperfections that generated doubled dies throughout the Lincoln cent series. Hub doubling occurs when the master hub imparts two slightly misaligned impressions into a working die blank, embedding a permanent doubled image that appears on every coin struck from that die. No specific doubling description, die markers, cross-references, or expert attributions have been published for this variety. Attribution requires direct comparison against Wexler reference photographs, examining the standard diagnostic areas — LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and Lincoln's profile — under at least 10x magnification. Collectors should note that proof coins stored in their original Mint packaging may show superior surface preservation compared to coins removed from sets. 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