1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-013

Description

Showing doubling under the 7 and below both the top and bottom of the 0 in the date, the 1970-S WDDO-013 under the Small Date parent documents a doubled die obverse tracked through two die stages with an abraded obverse die. The abrasion indicates that Mint personnel mechanically polished the obverse die surface at some point during production, likely to extend its service life by removing clash marks, flow lines, or other progressive surface defects. This treatment can reduce the visibility of both doubling evidence and earlier die markers, meaning specimens struck before the abrasion event may display stronger diagnostic features than those produced afterward. The reverse carries a distinctive "detached roof" marker — a feature where the Memorial's roofline appears separated or disconnected from the building structure, resulting from die damage, progressive wear, or a specific die crack in that area. This detached roof provides an immediately recognizable reverse diagnostic that can confirm the die pairing even when obverse doubling evidence has been diminished by the documented abrasion. No cross-references to other attribution systems have been recorded. The Small Date parent classification under ODV-026 places the date-area doubling within the compact digit arrangement of the Small Date hub, where the doubling below both the top and bottom of the 0 — a broader spread zone than varieties showing doubling at only one edge of the numeral — may be more readily detectable despite the obverse abrasion. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A twisting die gouge runs mostly SSW/NNE through the back of the forehead. Obverse Stage B: The die has been heavily abraded with numerous die scratches running mostly SW/NE all around the bust. Reverse Stage A: A small die gouge touches the bottom left of the D in UNITED.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-013
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References