2021 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 2021 1-cent WDDO-003, this Lincoln Shield Cent doubled die obverse exhibits moderate extra thickness on the date and on LIBERTY, with notching visible on the upper left corners of ERTY in LIBERTY. The notching diagnostic — step-like discontinuities on the upper left corners of these four letters — indicates the hub doubling offset was oriented to the upper left, creating visible separations where the primary and secondary letter impressions diverge at their corners. A notable cataloging note accompanies this listing: the original WDDO-005 was found to be an earlier die state of this same die, leading to the renumbering, which means coins previously attributed as WDDO-005 should now be recognized as early die state examples of WDDO-003. Obverse die markers include a small die chip on the lower Y in LIBERTY, providing a targeted confirmation point. The reverse die marker is a die crack with small die chips running along the rim from approximately 9:00 to 6:00 — a substantial arc of rim deterioration that serves as both an attribution diagnostic and die-state indicator. No other cross-references are known. The Lincoln Shield Cent combines Victor David Brenner's 1909 Lincoln portrait with Lyndall Bass's 2010 Union Shield reverse. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-plated zinc composition (97.5% zinc core with 2.5% copper plating), weighing 2.5 grams at 19.05 mm diameter. The renumbering history of this die — from WDDO-005 to WDDO-003 — illustrates the dynamic nature of variety cataloging, where new discoveries and analysis can restructure existing listings. Collectors should examine the upper left corners of ERTY under 10x magnification for the characteristic notching, verify the die chip on the lower Y, and check the reverse rim from 9:00 to 6:00 for the die crack and associated chips.

Attribution History

• None known Comments: The original WDDO-005 was found to be an earlier die; Wexler Variety ID: 2021 1¢ WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References