1973 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 1973 1¢ WDDO-001, this variety is a Class V clockwise pivot doubled die with the pivot point located at approximately 5:00 on the die face (the lower-right area). Class V doubling — also called pivot doubling — occurs when the working hub pivots around a fixed point during its second impression into the working die, rather than rotating uniformly (Class I) or shifting laterally (Class III). The critical implication of pivot doubling is that design elements closer to the pivot point show less displacement while those farther from it show progressively more, creating a gradient of doubling intensity across the die face. For WDDO-001, with the pivot at approximately 5:00, the letters of IN GOD WE TRUST and the LIBER of LIBERTY — located far from the pivot in the upper and left portions of the die — display the strongest doubling, while elements nearer the lower-right would show minimal or no visible effect. This geometric relationship is the hallmark that distinguishes Class V from Class I doubled dies, where all elements at a given radial distance show equal displacement regardless of their angular position. Cross-references include CONECA 1-O-V, Crawford CDDO-001, and Coppercoins 1973P-1DO-001. Die markers for Obverse Stage A include a curving die scratch near the rim at about 8:00. Obverse Stage B shows the doubling with a mushy appearance and the Stage A die scratch very weak but still visible. Reverse Stage A features a short vertical die scratch between the upper R and I in AMERICA. Reverse Stage B shows the Stage A scratch no longer visible, replaced by a short die scratch running NNE from the lower right Memorial base. The multiple die stages documented here indicate this die had extended service life, with progressive wear and new scratches developing as the die aged through continued use. A Class V CW spread from a pivot at about 5:00 shows on the letters of IGWT, and the LIBER of LIBERTY.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: 1-O-V, Crawford: CDDO-001, Coppercoins: 1973P-1DO-001
• CONECA: 1-O-V, Crawford: CDDO-001, Coppercoins: 1973P-1DO-001; Wexler Variety ID: 1973 1¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References