1987 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

The most extensively documented Wexler doubled die obverse for the 1987 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, WDDO-002 (Wexler Variety ID 1987 1¢ WDDO-002) presents extra thickness with weak separation lines on the date and IN GOD WE TRUST, along with a doubled Lincoln's eye and a notched R in TRUST. The presence of weak separation lines — faint shelves visible at the edges of doubled letter strokes — elevates this variety beyond simple extra thickness into territory where the hub shift is large enough to produce partially resolved double images. Lincoln's eye showing doubling is particularly notable, as portrait elements deep within the die cavity receive hub pressure differently than peripheral lettering, and doubling visible on the eye confirms the shift affected the die's central relief as well as its legends. Three die stages are documented, with Stage B introducing a new reverse die — a significant production event indicating the original reverse die was retired mid-run while the doubled obverse continued in service, creating two distinct obverse-reverse die pair combinations from a single obverse hub error. The notched R in TRUST provides a focused attribution checkpoint: the right leg of the R displays a stepped profile consistent with the direction of hub displacement. No cross-references to other attribution systems are currently known. Struck at Philadelphia (no mint mark) on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm, from the 1987 mintage of 4,682,466,931 cents. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: Weak vertical die scratches inside the ear are visible on all known stages. Obverse Stage C: Numerous die scratches running mostly NNW/SSE can be found throughout the obverse. Reverse Stage A: A short die gouge runs NW from the lower left corner of the Memorial. A small die gouge (dot) can be found to the right of the lower C in CENT. A small die gouge can be found inside the top of the U in UNITED. Two short diagonal die scratches run from the upper right of the 6th Memorial column to the roof. Reverse Stage C: Two strong parallel die scratches run from the E in UNITED to the upper left of the E in EPU. A strong die scratch can be found inside the upper O of ONE.

Attribution History

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1987 1¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References