1938 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Cross-referenced by Coppercoins as 1938P-1DR-003 and by the Wexler Team as 1938 1c WDDR-002, this doubled die reverse on the 1938 Philadelphia Lincoln Wheat Cent shows a spread toward the center on E PLURIBUS UNUM and both wheat ears, with the doubling more defined on the wheat ears than on the inscription. Die markers on the obverse include a lathe gouge through the top of the letters of IN GOD — a characteristic machining mark from the die-turning process on a lathe that became embedded in the die surface and transferred to every coin struck. On the reverse, numerous light die scratches appear around the E and P in PLURIBUS, a heavy die gouge marks the left upper area of the B in PLURIBUS, and another heavy die gouge affects the right center and left lower area of the I in PLURIBUS. The concentration of die damage around PLURIBUS provides a rich constellation of attribution markers. The "spread toward center" classification indicates Class II distorted hub doubling, where internal hub stress caused the secondary impression to contract. The 1938 cent was struck in bronze composition (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) at 3.11 grams and 19 mm diameter with a plain edge. The 1938 Philadelphia mintage of 156,682,000 was part of the production recovery from Depression-era lows, as the economy gradually improved in the late 1930s before the wartime production surge.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Wexler Cross References: Coppercoins: 1938P-1DR-003
• Coppercoins: 1938P-1DR-003; Wexler Variety ID: 1938 1¢ WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References