1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-040

Description

Small Date companion to the Large Date WDDO-040, this entry represents a separate working die prepared from the 1970-S Small Date hub that also exhibits doubled hubbing. The parallel existence of both hub-type entries under WDDO-040 illustrates a recurring pattern throughout the 1970-S doubled die catalog: the same catalog number applied to dies from both hub families when the doubling characteristics share sufficient commonality to warrant grouped classification. Understanding this convention matters because a single WDDO number can encompass two genuinely different dies producing visually different coins — the Large Date and Small Date versions are not interchangeable specimens but distinct varieties united by analogous doubling patterns on different hub substrates. No confirmed cross-references are known. The Small Date hub's importance in 1970-S cent collecting extends beyond variety attribution: numismatic researchers have noted that San Francisco's Small Date production appears to have been smaller than its Large Date output, contributing to the premium that 1970-S Small Date cents command in the marketplace. When a doubled die variety appears on the scarcer hub type, the intersection of variety interest and date scarcity creates multiplied collecting appeal that can drive valuations beyond what either factor alone would support.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-040
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References