1934 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Second cataloged doubled die obverse for the 1934 Lincoln Wheat Cent, DDO-002 exhibits strong extra thickness across all lettering and the date. VarietyVista assigned die markers UVC-1315 and DMR-003, documenting three die stages: Stage A in EDS (unconfirmed), Stage B in MDS (unconfirmed), and Stage C where both the obverse and reverse reach Late Die State (LDS). The "strong extra thickness" classification represents the highest intensity level for this type of doubling, indicating the secondary hub impression is sufficiently offset to produce clearly visible thickened design elements that may be apparent under low magnification. All lettering — IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date — shows this thickening, meaning the hub shift affected the entire obverse die face uniformly. The 1934 Lincoln Cent was struck during the heart of the Great Depression at Philadelphia, where mintages remained substantial despite the economic crisis as cents continued to serve essential roles in daily commerce. Over 219 million cents were produced at Philadelphia in 1934, consuming numerous die pairs across extended production runs. Three die stages progressing to LDS indicates this obverse die served through its full useful life, and the strong doubling would have been present on every cent struck from this die — potentially hundreds of thousands of coins — from the first EDS impressions through the final worn LDS specimens.

Die Markers

• UVC-1315
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References