1939 Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-021

Description

An extra eyelid northeast of the primary eyelid gives this 1939 Lincoln Wheat Cent doubled die obverse a subtly altered expression that rewards careful examination under magnification. Cataloged by the Wexler Team as WDDO-021, the eyelid doubling is a distinctive attribution point rarely seen on Lincoln Cents from this era. Die markers strengthen identification: on the obverse, light vertical die scratches run in front of Lincoln's lips, chin, and neck, while additional light die scratches travel in a NNW/SSE direction under RTY in LIBERTY. The reverse carries its own marker constellation, with die scratches running NNE/SSW through the lower half of the design and separate scratches oriented ESE/WNW to the right of and above the E in ONE. This rich set of directional die scratches across both sides makes attribution straightforward once the correct die pair is identified. The 1939 Lincoln Wheat Cent was produced at Philadelphia during the final full year before World War II transformed American coinage production, and twenty-one documented doubled die obverses for this date demonstrate the depth of die study applied to pre-war Wheat Cents by variety specialists.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1939 1¢ WDDO-021

External References