2003 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007

Description

Seventh Wexler-cataloged doubled die obverse for the 2003 Lincoln Memorial Cent, WDDO-007 displays extra thickness on the letters of LIBERTY with notches visible on the upper left portions of E, R, T, and Y. The "notches" descriptor is particularly telling — it indicates the doubled hub impression created a stepped or shelf-like displacement at the letter boundaries, where the edge of one impression fails to align perfectly with the edge of the next, leaving a visible ledge that can be detected under magnification. Die markers include no significant obverse features beyond the doubling itself, while the reverse carries a small die gouge to the right of the top of the T in CENT — a die-specific marker that helps distinguish this variety from the six other cataloged WDDO entries for the 2003 cent. Cross-referenced as Crawford CDDO-003, this variety benefits from dual cataloging in both the Wexler and Crawford reference systems, each of which applies its own classification methodology. The Wexler ID 2003 1c WDDO-007 positions this as a mid-range entry in the date's doubled die obverse catalog. The 2003 Lincoln Memorial Cent was produced at the Philadelphia Mint during a period of high cent production, with billions struck annually despite ongoing debate about the denomination's economic viability. The LIBERTY inscription on the Lincoln Cent runs vertically along the right side of the obverse, and its tall, thin letterforms are particularly susceptible to showing the subtle spread that characterizes this variety.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Allen Cross References: Crawford: CDDO-003
• Crawford: CDDO-003; Wexler Variety ID: 2003 1¢ WDDO-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References