1966 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

The most significant and collectible doubled die obverse variety for the 1966 Lincoln cent, WDDO-001 holds the prestigious distinction of being listed in the Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties as FS-01-1966-101 — designating it as the number-one obverse die variety for the 1966 cent. The Cherrypickers' Guide, authored by Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton, is THE standard reference for collectible U.S. die varieties, and an FS (Fivaz-Stanton) listing is widely regarded as the gold standard of variety recognition. Being listed as FS-101 signals to the collecting community that this variety has sufficient visual impact, collectibility, and market demand to warrant inclusion in the hobby's most authoritative variety reference. This is a Class V pivoted hub doubling variety with a clockwise spread from a pivot point at approximately 7:00, showing prominent doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST, Lincoln's eyelid, the front of the vest, and the date. Two die stages have been documented: Die Stage A shows die scratches running ESE from the vest to the left of the date, die scratches running NNW from the 1 and 9 in the date, and die scratches from NNW to SSE to the right of the upper head. Die Stage B shows die scratches extending SE from the forehead on the obverse, and on the reverse, a die scratch running NW to SE through the right cornice and several die scratches running west to east through the letters of ONE. The progression from Stage A to Stage B documents the die's deterioration over the course of its production life, with new die scratches appearing as the die accumulated wear and handling damage. Cross-referenced as CONECA 1-O-V, Cherrypickers FS-01-1966-101, and Coppercoins 1966P-1DO-001, with Wexler Variety ID: 1966 1¢ WDDO-001. Attributed by the Wexler Team. The 1966 Philadelphia Mint produced 2,188,147,783 business strike cents without mint marks under the continuing provisions of the Coinage Act of 1965. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

Attribution History

• CONECA: 1-O-V, Cherrypickers: FS-01-1966-101, Coppercoins: 1966P-1DO-001; Wexler Variety ID: 1966 1¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References