1968 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Distinguished from the other 1968 doubled die obverse varieties by its broader area of effect, DDO-004 exhibits a medium spread on both LIBERTY and IN GOD — covering two separate inscription areas on the obverse rather than being confined to a single legend. When doubling extends across multiple widely spaced design elements, it indicates a relatively significant angular or translational displacement between the hub impressions during die manufacture, because both the left-side LIBERTY and the upper IN GOD must be sufficiently affected for the spread to be detectable at both locations. This broader coverage makes DDO-004 potentially easier to identify than varieties where the doubling is limited to a single word, since the collector has two diagnostic areas to examine for confirmation. The letters of LIBERTY on the Lincoln cent obverse occupy the left field beside Lincoln's portrait, while IN GOD sits along the upper rim above his head, and for both areas to show medium spread from the same doubling event, the misalignment must have had components affecting the die across a substantial portion of its face. Die markers UVC-3131 and DMR-005 are recorded for this variety. The 1968 Philadelphia cent was struck without a mint mark in the first year that Denver and San Francisco resumed marking their coinage. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc at the Philadelphia Mint.

Die Markers

• UVC-3131; DMR-005

External References