1970-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-021

Description

Bearing a Class I counterclockwise (CCW) rotated hub doubling with spread visible across LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date, WDDO-021 on the 1970-D Lincoln Memorial cent bears a striking resemblance to the well-known WDDO-002 — one of the stronger and more widely collected doubled dies for this date. Cross-referenced as Coppercoins 1970D-1DO-012, this variety has been explicitly confirmed as originating from a different working die than WDDO-002 despite their visual similarity, a determination made through careful comparison of die-specific markers that distinguish one die from another even when the hub doubling pattern is nearly identical. This scenario arises when two working dies receive their secondary hub impressions at similar rotational angles, producing analogous doubling patterns — but each die carries its own unique constellation of gouges, scratches, and cracks that serve as forensic identifiers. Four die states document the die's service life across both surfaces. The obverse progresses through two stages, with Stage 1 featuring a curving die gouge running parallel to the rim and die clash marks from Memorial bays visible through the TY of LIBERTY — evidence that this die experienced an obverse-to-reverse clash during production. Stage 2 shows the effects of subsequent die maintenance. On the reverse, Stage 1 presents extensive die gouges and scratches, while Stage 2 reveals heavy abrading that the Mint applied in an attempt to extend the die's useful life. The CCW classification indicates the secondary hub impression was rotated counterclockwise relative to the primary, creating spread that fans in the opposite direction from the clockwise varieties cataloged elsewhere in the 1970-D roster. Collectors who already own WDDO-002 should compare die markers carefully to avoid misattribution, as the similar doubling pattern could easily lead to confusion without marker verification. Numerous die scratches, mostly running north to south, can be seen throughout the obverse. Reverse Stage A: Two parallel die scratches run NW from the left side of the Memorial roof. A horizontal die scratch runs through the bottom off the UN in UNUM. Reverse Stage B: The reverse die has been heavily abraded.

Attribution History

• Coppercoins: 1970D-1DO-012 Comments: This variety is very similar to WDDO-002, but it is definitely from a different working die as verified by the; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-D 1¢ WDDO-021
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References