1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-020

Description

Documented on the 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Memorial cent, WDDO-020 presents doubling below the L in LIBERTY and above the 7 in the date — a doubling location shared with WDDO-019 but produced by a different working die carrying its own unique set of die markers and surface characteristics. Die pitting on the obverse surface distinguishes this die from others in the sequence: pitting results from corrosion or environmental exposure of the die steel, producing raised bumps on struck coins that appear as a textured or granular surface. Additionally, a die gouge below the S in STATES on the reverse provides a strong secondary diagnostic — this raised mark on struck coins is unique to this specific reverse die and serves as a quick identification feature independent of the doubling itself. The three-stage obverse and three-stage reverse progression documents the die's complete working life, with the die pitting and gouge evolving across die states. No cross-references to other attribution systems have been published. The similarity in doubling location between WDDO-019 and WDDO-020 illustrates a common challenge in variety attribution: multiple dies can exhibit doubling in the same general area because the hub displacement that causes doubled dies affects the same design elements across different working dies created during the same hubbing session. What distinguishes each variety is the specific combination of doubling magnitude, spread direction, and die-specific markers such as the pitting and gouge that characterize WDDO-020. Cherry-pickers who locate a 1970-S Small Date cent with doubling below the L and above the 7 must compare die markers against both WDDO-019 and WDDO-020 to achieve correct attribution. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A short die scratch runs SW from the top left of the seven in the date. A die scratch runs N/S between the E of WE and the first T in TRUST. Obverse Stage B: Short die scratches extend west from the back of the bust. A die scratch curves to the south from the lower left of the G in GOD. Reverse Stage B: Numerous die scratches run NW/SE to the left of the Memorial.

Attribution History

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-020
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References