1939 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Cross-referenced as the Fivaz-Stanton FS-101, this primary doubled die obverse for the 1939 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent displays very strong spread but with a weak first hubbing on the 19 of the date, the eyelid, and RTY of LIBERTY. The weak initial hubbing is significant because it means the first impression was shallow, causing the strong second impression to dominate while still leaving traces of the misaligned first impression visible in the affected areas. Die markers include UVC-1419 and DMR-003, with three documented stages: Stage A in Early Die State (unconfirmed), Stage B where both obverse and reverse are in Mid Die State, and Stage C where the obverse reaches Late Die State with a die chip appearing in the right wheat grains as a diagnostic LDS marker. The FS-101 cross-reference assigns this variety the primary Fivaz-Stanton listing for the date, indicating it is the most significant doubled die obverse among all 1939 Lincoln Cent varieties. Cataloged by VarietyVista, this variety is prized by collectors seeking the strongest doubled die examples on pre-war Wheat Cents. The 1939 Philadelphia Mint struck 316,466,000 cents, yet the FS-101 designation ensures strong collector demand for this particular die pair's output. The late die state chip in the wheat grains provides a useful quick-attribution marker for specimens struck near the end of the die's service life.

Die Markers

• UVC-1419
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LDS
• Die chip in Right wheat grains – LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ed Raser
• FS-101
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References