1990 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Extra thickness on the date and IN GOD WE TRUST with separation lines visible on the 19 and a nicely notched R in TRUST distinguish the 1990 Lincoln Memorial cent WDDO-001 as a doubled die obverse with multiple attribution points. The separation lines on the 19 — where the secondary hub impression offset the numeral outlines enough to create a visible gap between the primary and secondary images — represent the strongest diagnostic, as date numeral separation is both easily located and difficult to confuse with machine doubling or die deterioration. The notched R in TRUST provides a secondary confirmation point: the serif of the R develops a stepped profile where the two hub impressions overlap at slightly different angles. Obverse die markers further cement attribution: a gouge above the first 9 in the date, gouges below the B in LIBERTY, and a die crack on the lower right portion of the Memorial building (visible as a reverse die marker that identifies the specific die pairing). These markers establish that a single die pair produced this variety, allowing specimens to be matched to the correct Wexler catalog entry — WDDO-001 — with confidence. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint on a copper-plated zinc planchet (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm diameter.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Peter Beane Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1990 1¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References