2003 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-006

Description

Sixth in the Wexler obverse doubled die census for the 2003 Lincoln Memorial cent, WDDO-006 exhibits extra thickness on the letters of LIBERTY, with the effect most pronounced on the top right of the Y — a focused diagnostic that narrows the primary attribution zone to a specific letter within Victor David Brenner's obverse inscription. The Wexler Team recorded die markers on both sides: on the obverse, a strong die gouge above the 3 in the date; on the reverse, a die gouge in the upper 8th bay of the Lincoln Memorial's columned facade. These dual-surface markers provide robust secondary confirmation that is independent of the LIBERTY doubling. Philadelphia struck approximately 3.30 billion cents in 2003, a massive production run consuming vast numbers of working dies. The concentration of the extra thickness effect on the top right of the Y in LIBERTY suggests the hub misalignment produced maximum displacement in the rightward area of the inscription, with the angular serif and diagonal stroke of the Y providing surfaces that most clearly reveal the thickening. Extra thickness — as distinct from clearly separated doubled images — indicates the secondary hub impression landed very close to the primary, widening the letter strokes measurably but not producing the dramatic visual separation associated with strong or extreme doubling classifications. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 2003 1¢ WDDO-006, with no additional attribution system listings currently known. Collectors should first locate the strong die gouge above the 3 in the date to confirm the correct obverse die — the "strong" qualifier suggests this gouge is readily visible and provides an efficient first-check diagnostic — then examine the Y of LIBERTY under 15-20x magnification, focusing on the top right area where the extra thickness is most pronounced, comparing against normal 2003 cents to verify the enhanced stroke width.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2003 1¢ WDDO-006
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References