1988-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Attributed as DDO-002 in the VarietyVista system with die markers UVC-2559 and DMR-013, this 1988-D Lincoln Memorial cent exhibits a light spread confined primarily to the date numerals. The subtlety of this doubled die distinguishes it from the more prominent DDO-001 — where DDO-001 shows medium spread on the date and extends into GOD WE, this variety concentrates its doubling effect in a narrower zone with less separation between the primary and secondary hub impressions. Light-spread doubled dies present a particular challenge for collectors because the doubling can be confused with machine doubling (also called strike doubling or shelf doubling), a fundamentally different phenomenon caused by die bounce during the striking process. True hub doubling, as seen on this variety, produces raised, rounded secondary images with the same relief and detail as the primary design, whereas machine doubling creates flat, shelf-like distortions with reduced detail. The reverse pairs with RDV-005, the same reverse die variety seen on DDO-001, indicating these two obverse dies may have been paired with reverses from the same die lineage. Die markers UVC-2559 and DMR-013 within the VarietyVista catalog provide the specific diagnostic features needed for positive attribution. Struck at the Denver Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Die Markers

• UVC-2559; DMR-013

External References