1870 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1870 1¢ WDDR-002 and extensively cross-referenced as Snow S24, CONECA DDR-015, Flynn DDR-002, and F.IND.ERS FND-008, this Indian Head Cent displays a Class V spread from a pivot at approximately 3 o'clock visible on ONE CENT, the lower wreath, the left side of the wreath, the left side of the shield, the upper right wreath, and the denticles from 6 o'clock to 12 o'clock. The Class V (Pivoted Hub Doubling) mechanism means the secondary hub impression was rotated around a pivot point near the 3 o'clock position, producing maximum displacement on design elements furthest from the pivot — particularly on the left side and bottom of the die — while elements near the 3 o'clock pivot show minimal or no doubling. Obverse die markers include die clash marks in the field to the right of Liberty's profile and die clash marks between the lower feathers, documenting a separate clash event in this die pair's history. Reverse die markers present an extensive crack system: a die crack from the rim at 3 o'clock running southwest to the upper arrowhead, a vertical die crack through the outer right leaves between 2 and 3 o'clock, and a die crack running south-southeast to north-northwest through the upper right wreath. The multiple cross-references across five major cataloging systems — Snow, CONECA, Flynn, F.IND.ERS, and Wexler — confirm this as one of the most thoroughly documented Indian Head cent doubled die varieties. Designed by James Barton Longacre, the Indian Head cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 95% copper at 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. The 1870 date falls within the post-Civil War reconstruction era, and the extensive die crack network on the reverse suggests this die was nearing the end of its functional service life.

Attribution History

• Discovered by A. B. Moy Cross References: Snow: S24; CONECA: DDR-015; Flynn: DDR-002; F.IND.ERS: FND-008
• Snow: S24; CONECA: DDR-015; Flynn: DDR-002; F.IND.ERS: FND-008; Wexler Variety ID: 1870 1¢ WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References