1972 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-016

Description

Wexler Variety ID 1972 1¢ WDDO-016 is a Philadelphia mint doubled die obverse showing a clockwise spread that produces an extra horizontal bar of the "2" in the date above the normal horizontal bar. This variety confirms the presence of the master die doubling known for the 1972 date on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST, placing it firmly among the working dies that descended from the replacement master die produced after the original failed in approximately April or May of 1972. No cross-references to other attribution services have been identified. The obverse die carries distinctive markers: light die scratches extend north-northwest from the top of the "9" in the date; light die scratches extend north-northwest from the top of the Y in LIBERTY; and a small die gouge can be found to the right of the top of the N in IN. These obverse features — particularly the directional consistency of the die scratches from both the "9" and the Y — suggest a polishing event that left parallel linear evidence at a consistent angle across the die face. On the reverse, two die dents appear above the right side of the D in UNITED; a small die gouge touches the top of the first T of STATES just right of center; and a small die gouge touches the right end of the top horizontal crossbar of the E in STATES. The relatively modest set of markers and the subtle nature of the "extra bar" doubling place WDDO-016 in the category of varieties that reward patient, systematic examination under 5x–10x magnification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Allen Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1972 1¢ WDDO-016
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References