1989 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Affecting a wider range of reverse design elements than WDDR-001, the 1989 WDDR-002 (Wexler variety ID 1989 1¢ WDDR-002) shows extra thickness on the designer's initials FG, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the left column dots flanking the Lincoln Memorial entrance. Notching — the characteristic shelf-like stepping along element edges produced by close-spread doubling — appears on the lower portion of AMERICA. The distribution of doubling across initials, motto, dots, and lettering indicates a hub displacement that affected design elements spanning both the left and central zones of the reverse die face. Obverse die markers include a die scratch running northeast from the R in LIBERTY, vertical gouges positioned to the right of the right column dot and to the right of the T in CENT. The involvement of the column dots — small circular design elements flanking the Memorial entrance — is noteworthy because these dots are among the most sensitive indicators of hub doubling on the Memorial reverse: their small size and clean geometry make even minor displacement immediately visible as elongation or thickening. No additional cross-references are currently known. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm. Reverse: A short vertical die gouge can be found to the right of the right dot. A short vertical die gouge can be found to the right of the top of the T in CENT.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Peter Beane & Jennifer Casazza Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1989 1¢ WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References