2016 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-020

Description

On the 2016 Philadelphia Lincoln Shield cent, the WDDO-020 variety presents light extra thickness on the letters of LIBERTY, with the top right branch of the Y being slightly thicker than the top left branch. Additionally, notches are visible on the lower left portions of the letters E, R, T, and Y in LIBERTY, providing secondary confirmation of the doubling. The Wexler designation is 2016 1¢ WDDO-020. An obverse die marker consists of a die scratch running in a NNW/SSE direction through the field to the left of Lincoln's shoulder. On the reverse, a die crack runs along the top left of the shield north of the letters PL in PLURIBUS. The asymmetric thickening of the Y in LIBERTY is a particularly useful diagnostic for this variety, as it creates a visual imbalance in the letter that is detectable even under modest magnification. The Shield cent design's bold LIBERTY inscription, positioned prominently above Lincoln's portrait, makes doubled die obverse varieties on this series accessible to cherrypickers working with a loupe.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Steve Young Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2016 1¢ WDDO-020
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References