1936 Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-019

Description

A close spread towards the center appears on IN GOD WE TRUST, accompanied by extra thickness on the letters of LIBERTY, identifying this 1936 Lincoln wheat cent as WDDO-019 — a Class VI (Distended Hub) doubled die obverse. The distended hub classification indicates the die steel expanded slightly under hubbing pressure, producing a spread that radiates outward from the die center rather than shifting uniformly in one direction. A key diagnostic is the broken lower left leg on the R in LIBERTY, a die marker specific to this working die that persists across all die states and helps distinguish WDDO-019 from the eighteen other cataloged doubled die obverses for this date. On the reverse, short die gouges protrude from the bottom of the R and I in PLURIBUS, providing additional confirmation. Cross-referenced as CONECA 11-O-VI (the eleventh cataloged obverse variety, Class VI) and Wexler Variety ID 1936 1¢ WDDO-019, this variety demonstrates the depth of doubled die cataloging for Depression-era Philadelphia Mint coinage.

Cross References

• CONECA: 11-O-VI; Wexler Variety ID: 1936 1¢ WDDO-019

External References