1970-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-018

Description

Boasting cross-references to three independent attribution services — CONECA 3-O-V-CW, Crawford CDDO-001, and Coppercoins 1970D-1DO-009 — WDDO-018 on the 1970-D Lincoln Memorial cent is among the most thoroughly documented doubled dies for this date. That Crawford assigned it the CDDO-001 designation, placing it first in his catalog, suggests the doubling is prominent enough to have been among the earliest varieties recognized for 1970-D. The variety exhibits strong doubling above both the 7 and the 0 in the date, indicating a hub displacement sufficient to affect multiple date numerals simultaneously — a vertical or near-vertical shift that positioned the secondary impression noticeably higher than the primary across the date area. Four die states chart the die's service history. On the obverse, Stage 1 presents die scratches and a gouge positioned under the G in GOD, alongside another gouge to the right of the I in IN — markers that provide immediate attribution confirmation independent of the doubling itself. Stage 2 introduces additional surface changes from die maintenance. The reverse likewise progresses through two documented stages, with Stage 1 featuring a die chip on the first column of the Memorial — a structural deficiency that would worsen over the die's remaining service life. The CONECA classification as 3-O-V-CW indicates Class III design hub doubling with an obverse vertical clockwise spread, placing the mechanical origin in the die-making process rather than in strike doubling or machine doubling, which are separate phenomena that can mimic but do not replicate true hub doubling characteristics. A short, vertical die gouge can be found under the top curve of the G in GOD. A short, vertical die gouge can be found to the right of the center of the I of IN.

Attribution History

• CONECA: 3-O-V-CW, Coppercoins: 1970D-1DO-009, Crawford: CDDO-001; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-D 1¢ WDDO-018
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References