1968-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

The first Wexler-cataloged doubled die obverse for the 1968-S Lincoln cent in regular strike format, WDDO-001 was struck at the San Francisco Mint for general circulation — a historically significant context because 1968 was the year proof production returned to San Francisco after the three-year Coinage Act of 1965 suspension. While San Francisco is primarily associated with proof coinage in the modern era, the facility also produced business strike cents for circulation in 1968, and these S-mint circulation strikes are generally scarcer than their Philadelphia and Denver counterparts, making doubled die varieties on 1968-S regular strikes particularly desirable to collectors. Obverse die markers include a small die gouge south of E in LIBERTY. The reverse exhibits extensive die markers: a die gouge below the O in OF, a die scratch running south from the bottom left of the R in AMERICA, numerous die scratches running southwest to northeast through the first four Memorial bays, and other scratches visible throughout the reverse surface. This constellation of reverse die markers is unusually detailed, providing collectors with multiple confirmation points for positive attribution. The abundance of reverse scratches may indicate that this die saw extended service or experienced handling damage during installation, either of which would have introduced the surface irregularities documented in the die marker profile. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc at the San Francisco Mint.

Die Markers

• Obverse: A small die gouge can be found south of the E in LIBERTY. Reverse: A die gouge can be found below the O in OF. A die scratch runs south from the bottom left of the R in AMERICA. Numerous die scratches run from SW to NE through the first four Memorial bays. Other die scratches can be found throughout the reverse.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References