1971-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Fifth in the Wexler doubled die obverse sequence for the 1971-S proof Lincoln Memorial cent, WDDO-005 presents a very close Class II spread towards the rim visible on the date — a subtle variety whose doubling is concentrated in the numerals rather than the more commonly affected inscriptions. Class II spread towards the rim pushes the secondary hub impression outward, thickening design elements on their inner edges and creating a stepped profile that, in this very close specimen, requires careful magnification to resolve. The restriction of visible doubling to the date area alone suggests that the hub displacement was minimal in magnitude, producing detectable separation only where the numerals' fine serifs and stroke widths amplify even slight positional shifts between hub impressions. No significant die markers have been documented on either the obverse or reverse, which means attribution relies primarily on detecting the Class II rim-ward spread on the date digits and confirming the proof strike characteristics — mirror fields and frosted design elements produced by San Francisco's multi-impression proof striking process on polished planchets. Cross-referenced through the Wexler Team's attribution files as 1971-S 1¢ Pr WDDO-005, this variety lacks external catalog references from other attribution organizations, placing it in the category of specialist-documented proof doubled dies that reward patient examination. Among the 1971-S proof WDDO family — which includes the extremely strong WDDO-001, the very strong WDDO-002, and the strong WDDO-004 — this fifth entry represents the subtlest doubling, accessible primarily to collectors experienced in resolving very close Class II spread under high magnification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by James C. Moreland Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1971-S 1¢ Pr WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References