1967 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

The third cataloged Wexler doubled die reverse for the 1967 Lincoln cent, WDDR-003 exhibits a close Class II spread towards the center visible on USA, ONE CENT, and the designer's initials FG. Like WDDR-001, this variety is classified as Class II distorted hub doubling, where differential pressure during the hubbing process causes the die to deform between impressions, producing a spread that converges inward rather than radiating outward. The appearance of two Class II DDRs among the three cataloged reverse varieties for 1967 suggests that the hubbing equipment or procedures used for reverse dies at this point in the production year may have been particularly susceptible to the pressure irregularities that generate distorted doubling. The obverse carries extensive die markers: numerous die scratches run WSW/ENE to the right of the lower profile, and two parallel die scratches run SW/NE below the Y in LIBERTY. On the reverse, a die scratch runs WSW/ENE through the lower first two Memorial bays. These abundant die markers — particularly the conspicuous parallel scratches below LIBERTY — make this variety one of the more readily identifiable doubled die reverses for the 1967 date, as collectors can screen candidate coins using the distinctive obverse die scratches before examining the reverse doubling under magnification. The 1967 date was the final year of the no-mint-mark era; mint marks returned to all U.S. denominations in 1968. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Numerous die scratches run WSW/ENE to the right of the lower profile. Two parallel die scratches run SW/NE below the Y in LIBERTY. Reverse: A die scratch runs WSW/ENE through the lower first two Memorial bays.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References