1973 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1973 1¢ WDDO-002, this variety carries the remarkable CONECA designation 2-O-II-E+VI — indicating a multi-class doubled die that combines two distinct doubling mechanisms on a single die. In the CONECA notation, "2" identifies it as the second cataloged variety for the date, "O" denotes obverse, "II-E" indicates Class II (distorted hub doubling) with an extra thickness component, and "+VI" signifies the additional presence of Class VI (distended hub or design element) doubling. Multi-class doubled dies are genuinely unusual in numismatic production, as they require two separate mechanical anomalies to affect the same die during the hubbing process — either during a single hubbing session or across multiple sessions if the die required re-hubbing. The practical effect on the finished coin is extra thickness showing on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIB in LIBERTY, and the date — a presentation that reflects the combined distortion and distension mechanisms rather than the clean directional separation seen in simple Class I rotated hub doubling. Cross-referenced as Coppercoins 1973P-1DO-002 (with reverse varieties noted), this variety has been examined on circulated specimens where obverse die markers could not be conclusively documented due to wear. The reverse die paired with this obverse shows distinctive die scratches running NW/SE through CENT and additional scratches running NNE/SSW through the upper right corner of the Memorial building. These reverse markers are critical for attribution because they confirm not just the obverse die but the specific die pair — important when the same obverse die might have been paired with multiple reverse dies during its service life.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tanner Scott Cross References: CONECA: 2-O-II-E+VI, Coppercoins: 1973P-1DO-002 Reverse Varieties
• CONECA: 2-O-II-E+VI, Coppercoins: 1973P-1DO-002 Reverse Varieties; Wexler Variety ID: 1973 1¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References