1972-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

The sole documented Wexler doubled die reverse for the 1972 San Francisco Mint Lincoln cent, WDDR-001 is a proof variety that displays doubling at an angle on the floor below the statue inside the Lincoln Memorial. The Wexler Variety ID is 1972-S 1¢ Pr WDDR-001, with no external cross-references established. The doubling location — the Memorial floor beneath the statue — mirrors that of WDDO-007 from the obverse side, though WDDR-001 is a reverse die variety affecting the actual reverse design rather than a transferred impression. This proof die produced coins with the characteristic mirrored fields and frosted devices of San Francisco proof cent production, preserving the doubled floor detail with exceptional clarity. The obverse die markers include: a die gouge found well to the right of the second T of TRUST; light, vertical die scratches running through Lincoln's upper forehead and front hair curl; and a series of light vertical die scratches showing in the shoulder fold of Lincoln's jacket. The reverse die carries its own distinctive features: light concentric die scratches in Memorial bays 8, 9, 10, and 11, extending onto both the right and left cornice and the right and left roof areas; and small die gouges found in Memorial bays 2 and 3. The concentric pattern of reverse die scratches across multiple bays and both cornice areas suggests the die received a polishing treatment that left characteristic circular or arc-shaped marks — a common artifact of mechanical die maintenance at the San Francisco facility. The bay 2 and 3 gouges provide additional quick-screening diagnostics. As the only documented doubled die reverse for 1972-S proofs, WDDR-001 holds a singular position in the variety catalog for this date and mint.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Daniel Griffin Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1972-S 1¢ Pr WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References