1972 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Perhaps the most famous die variety in all of American numismatics, the 1972 Lincoln cent WDDO-001 is THE "1972 Doubled Die" — a coin so dramatically doubled that the effect is immediately visible to the naked eye, making it one of the few error coins recognizable by non-collectors and a perennial highlight of numismatic auctions and exhibitions. An extremely strong Class I clockwise (CW) spread shows on the letters of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, the front of Lincoln's bust, and the date, with the doubling so pronounced that secondary images of each letter and numeral are plainly visible without magnification. Die Markers — Obverse: Short, parallel die scratches extend NNE from the rim to the left of the upper L in LIBERTY. Several short die scratches extend ESE from the rim above the N of IN. A short die scratch extends ESE from the rim above the O of GOD. A short die gouge runs SW from the base of the bust to the left of the designer's initials. Reverse: A die scratch runs SW to NE between the lower I and T of UNITED. A die gouge protrudes from the rim above the D in UNITED. These reverse die markers are critical for authentication because counterfeits of WDDO-001 are known to exist — the variety's fame and substantial market value have attracted forgers who attempt to replicate the obverse doubling but cannot reproduce the genuine die's unique reverse characteristics. Cross-referenced as CONECA 1-O-I, Cherrypickers' Guide FS 01-1972-101 (033.3), Breen #2265, Crawford CDDO-001, and Coppercoins 1972P-1DO-001, this variety reportedly was first discovered by Michael Bauer (per Breen) and was submitted originally for the Wexler files by George Schulgen. It is by far the strongest of the known obverse doubled dies for the 1972 Lincoln cents — no other variety approaches its degree of spread. Caution should be taken when purchasing specimens: buyers must verify that the reverse die markers match the documented characteristics, as this is the surest method to distinguish genuine examples from counterfeits. By any measure, WDDO-001 stands as one of the landmark coins of modern numismatics.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joseph Koelling Cross References: CONECA: 1-O-I, Cherrypickers’ Guide: FS 01-1972-101 (033.3), Breen: #2265, Crawford: CDDO-001, Coppercoins: 1972P-1DO-001 Comments: This variety was reportedly first discovered by Michael Bauer (Breen) and was submitted originally for our files by George Schulgen. It is by far the strongest of the known obverse doubled dies for the 1972 Lincoln cents. Caution should be taken when purchasing specimens of this variety as counterfeits are known to exist. Be sure that the one you may be seeking to purchase has the reverse
• CONECA: 1-O-I, Cherrypickers’ Guide: FS 01-1972-101 (033.3), Breen: #2265, Crawford: CDDO-001, Coppercoins: 1972P-1DO-001 Comments: This variety was reportedly first discovered by Michael Bauer (Breen) and was submitted originally for our files by George Schulgen. It is by far the strongest of the known obverse doubled dies for the 1972 Lincoln cents. Caution should be taken when purchasing specimens of this variety as counterfeits are known to exist. Be sure that the one you may be seeking to purchase has the reverse; Wexler Variety ID: 1972 1¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References