1974-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Listed by the Wexler Team as 1974-D WDDO-001, this doubled die obverse variety from the Denver Mint exhibits extra thickness and partial separation on the inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST," with the doubling intensity increasing sharply from left to right across the motto. Separation lines are also visible on the upper hair details of Lincoln's portrait and along the bottom of the bust truncation. This progressive strengthening of the doubling from the "I" in IN through to the "T" in TRUST is characteristic of a rotational or pivoted hubbing error, where the second hub impression was applied at a very slight angular offset from the first — resulting in minimal displacement at the pivot point and increasing displacement as the distance from that point grows. The obverse die belongs to the Thin Date variety, which provides an additional attribution checkpoint. Diagnostic die markers are well documented: on the obverse, three parallel die scratches run through the hair behind Lincoln's ear, offering a reliable confirmation point even on specimens where the doubling itself may be subtle in hand. On the reverse, a strong die gouge is positioned at the rim above the E in AMERICA, and a long die scratch extends through the lower portion of NE in ONE. These reverse markers are especially valuable because they confirm the complete die pair, not just the obverse die that carries the doubled elements. The 1974-D cent's enormous mintage of approximately 4.24 billion pieces meant that individual die pairs might have produced several hundred thousand coins each before retirement, creating a substantial population of WDDO-001 specimens that entered circulation. Collectors should note that the progressive left-to-right strengthening of the doubling is the hallmark feature of this variety — specimens showing uniform doubling across the motto would point to a different attribution.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Thin Date Variety. Three parallel die scratches run through the hair behind the ear. Reverse: A strong die gouge can be found at the rim above the E in AMERICA. A long die scratch runs through the lower NE of ONE.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References