1990 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Strong extra thickness on the date — especially the lower portions of both nines — characterizes the 1990 Lincoln Memorial cent WDDO-002, a doubled die obverse whose most prominent doubling concentrates on the date numerals. The lower nines serve as the primary attribution target because the curved lower bowls of these digits amplify even minor hub displacement: a small angular or lateral shift produces measurable thickening at the curves where the primary and secondary images overlap. This concentration of visible doubling in the date area, while other design elements show lesser effects, is consistent with a rotated hub misalignment where the pivot point lies away from the date — elements farther from the rotation axis experience greater linear displacement and therefore more pronounced doubling. Reverse die markers assist in confirming the die pairing: pitting below the second A in AMERICA, a gouge to the right of the N in CENT, and a gouge to the right of the lower portion of the T in CENT. These markers, unique to the specific reverse die paired with this obverse, ensure that specimens can be definitively matched to the WDDO-002 catalog entry. 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 & Jennifer Casazza Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1990 1¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References