1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-009

Description

Cross-referenced as Coppercoins 1970S-1DO-008, the 1970-S WDDO-009 under the Small Date parent shares the same three-stage obverse and three-stage reverse die progression documented in its Large Date counterpart, with doubling visible under the 7 and below the 0 in the date. The Small Date classification under ODV-026 means the doubling's position relative to the date digits falls within the compact numeral arrangement characteristic of the Small Date hub, where the closer spacing between the 7 and the 0 can make the doubling zones appear more tightly clustered compared to the Large Date version. Heavy abrasion between die stages marks the intervals where Mint personnel intervened to mechanically polish the die surface, a treatment that served the dual purpose of extending die life and removing accumulated surface defects but that also progressively altered the diagnostic markers available for variety attribution. This abrasion history creates a practical attribution challenge: specimens from the die's earliest stage display the clearest doubling evidence and the most pristine die markers, while later-stage specimens may show reduced doubling visibility combined with abrasion-induced polish lines that can obscure earlier diagnostics. The three-stage structure, documented for both obverse and reverse surfaces, provides a complete framework for placing any given specimen within the die's production timeline. Collectors working through 1970-S Small Date cent populations should examine the area beneath the 7 and below the 0 with magnification, looking for the characteristic extra metal that doubling deposits in those positions, while also checking for the stage-specific die markers that narrow the attribution to a particular point in WDDO-009's documented die life. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A long, nearly vertical die scratch can be found north of the left side of the T in LIBERTY. Obverse Stage B: Numerous die scratches run from SW to NE in the fields to the left and to the right of the bust. Obverse Stage C: The die has been heavily abraded removing the previous stage die scratches. A die gouge can be found to the right of the bottom of the 7. Light die scratches run from SW to NE to the right of the beard. Reverse Stage B: A die gouge can be found to the right of the top of the 4th column. A die gouge can be found above the left side of the E in CENT. Nearly vertical die scratches run through, and to the right of the S in PLURIBUS. A die scratch runs from NNW to SSE through the top right of the E in ONE. Other die scratches can be found throughout the reverse. Reverse Stage C: The die has been heavily abraded removing most of the previous stage die scratches. The die scratch through the top right of the E in ONE is still present. The die gouge above the left side of the E is still there, but the die gouge to the right of the top of the 4th column has been abraded away.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: Coppercoins: 1970S-1DO-008
• Coppercoins: 1970S-1DO-008; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-009
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References