1974 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Cataloged as 1974 WDDO-001 in the Wexler listings, this doubled die obverse variety was struck at the Philadelphia Mint without a mint mark — consistent with standard practice, as the Philadelphia facility did not add a "P" mint mark to Lincoln cents until 1980. The doubling presents as a Class II spread directed towards the rim, visible on the letters of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Class II doubling (distorted hub doubling) occurs when the hub rotates slightly between impressions during the die-making process, producing a pivoted spread that is strongest at points farthest from the pivot axis and diminishes toward the center of rotation. This variety is further identified as a Thin Date variety, referring to the specific style of the date numerals on this particular die. Detailed die markers confirm the attribution: on the obverse, parallel die scratches run from northwest to southeast to the left of and through the G in GOD, a die scratch runs south-southeast from the tip of the eyelid, and a short vertical die scratch can be found on the lower nose. On the reverse, a short die scratch runs west from the lower T in UNITED, and a die scratch runs from southwest to northeast in the upper second bay of the Lincoln Memorial. These diagnostics allow collectors to distinguish WDDO-001 from other 1974 Philadelphia doubled die obverse varieties that might exhibit a similar general character of doubling but originate from different dies. Philadelphia's immense 1974 production of approximately 4.23 billion cents means this variety entered general circulation, where specimens can still be discovered through careful roll searching and cherry-picking.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Thin Date Variety. Parallel die scratches run from NW to SE to the left of and through the G in GOD. A die scratch runs SSE from the tip of the eyelid. A short vertical die scratch can be found on the lower nose. Reverse: A short die scratch runs west from the lower T in UNITED. A die scratch runs from SW to NE in the upper 2nd bay.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References