1936 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-008

Description

Eighth obverse doubled die cataloged for the 1936 Lincoln wheat cent, DDO-008 presents strong extra thickness on the date and TRUST with light extra thickness on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE — a graduated spread pattern covering the full obverse inscription set on Victor David Brenner's Lincoln portrait. VarietyVista assigned identifiers UVC-1343 and DMR-010, tracking three die stages: Stage A at early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B at mid die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C where the obverse has reached late die state while the reverse shows mid die state. The divergent die state classification at Stage C — LDS obverse paired with MDS reverse — indicates the obverse die wore faster than its reverse counterpart, a common occurrence when one die absorbs more striking stress than the other. An additional comment notes "Full R in LIBERTY," indicating this die retains the complete, unbroken R letterform — a hub variant diagnostic that distinguishes between Full R and Broken R hub versions used across different periods of Lincoln cent production. Philadelphia struck approximately 309.6 million cents in 1936, a moderate Depression-era output that reflects the gradual economic recovery underway during the mid-1930s. The graduated spread pattern — strong on the date and TRUST but light on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE — suggests the hub displacement was directionally biased, producing greater separation in the lower right obverse area (date and TRUST) than in the left and upper zones (LIBERTY and IN GOD WE). This directional gradient is consistent with an angular hub displacement where the misalignment increases with distance from the pivot point. Collectors should focus initial examination on the date digits and TRUST at 10-15x magnification, where the strong extra thickness is most prominent, then verify the lighter thickening on LIBERTY and the Full R hub characteristic.

Die Markers

• UVC-1343
• DMR-010
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LDS
• Reverse is MDS

Attribution History

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

External References