1988 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Characterized by close spread on the date, LIBE of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the upper right hair, WDDO-003 on the 1988 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent presents a tighter doubled image than the broader separation seen on some sister varieties. Close spread describes a doubling offset so narrow that the primary and secondary images nearly overlap, producing a thickened or slightly fuzzy appearance rather than distinct doubled outlines. This subtlety demands higher magnification — typically 16x to 20x — for confident attribution, and makes WDDO-003 a variety better suited to experienced cherry-pickers than to casual searchers. The obverse die carries no significant die markers beyond the doubling itself. However, the reverse offers substantial diagnostic value: gouges below the S in PLURIBUS, a gouge to the right of the last Memorial column, and numerous scratches running northwest to southeast across the reverse field. This rich constellation of reverse markers provides a reliable secondary confirmation pathway when the close obverse spread is difficult to assess. Attributed by the Wexler Team, this variety was struck at the Philadelphia Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1988 1¢ WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References