1883 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Extensively cross-referenced across multiple classification systems — Snow S6, CONECA DDR-002, Cherrypickers FS-01-1883-801, Flynn DDR-001, F.IND.ERS FND-001, and Wexler 1883 1-cent WDDR-001 — this Indian Head Cent stands as one of the most thoroughly documented doubled die varieties in the series. The Cherrypickers FS (Fivaz-Stanton) listing confirms its status as a significant variety worth searching for, and the convergence of six independent catalog designations reflects widespread recognition of its importance. The reverse exhibits a probable Class IV + VIII spread directed northward, visible on the lower two-thirds of the wreath, the ribbon, and the arrows, with the doubling intensity strongest at the bottom — a distribution pattern consistent with a pivot-point displacement where design elements furthest from the rotation center show the greatest secondary image separation. Obverse die markers include a die crack running from the cheek west-northwest through the nose and into the field, plus another die crack under BERTY extending southeast to the lower two feathers of the headdress — two substantial structural failures that indicate this obverse die experienced significant stress during its service life. The reverse carries a die crack along the outside edge of the wreath from approximately the 9:00 to 10:00 position. The Indian Head Cent was designed by James Barber Longacre and struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1883 from 95% copper composition (bronze), weighing 3.11 grams with a diameter of 19.05 mm. The 1883 mintage of approximately 45.6 million pieces provided ample production volume for multiple working die pairs, and the survival of this variety with its combined Class IV and VIII doubling mechanism makes it a textbook example of complex hub displacement for students of die variety mechanics.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Kevin Flynn Cross References: Snow: S6; CONECA: DDR-002; Cherrypickers: FS-01-1883-801, Flynn: DDR-001; F.IND.ERS: FND-001
• Snow: S6; CONECA: DDR-002; Cherrypickers: FS-01-1883-801, Flynn: DDR-001; F.IND.ERS: FND-001; Wexler Variety ID: 1883 1¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References