1939 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Strong southward spread producing a clearly visible extra eyelid distinguishes this third doubled die obverse for the 1939 Lincoln Wheat Cent, one of the final pre-World War II issues in the series. Cataloged by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-1421, DMR-005, this variety's die stage documentation records Stage A showing both obverse and reverse at early die state, Stage B at mid die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The early die state confirmation means collectors can identify this variety from specimens showing minimal die wear, when the doubled eyelid detail is at its sharpest. The 1939 Lincoln Cent was produced in the final year before the United States began mobilizing for potential war involvement, and Philadelphia Mint operations that year maintained steady production levels for all denominations. Hub doubling producing extra eyelid varieties on Lincoln Cents follows a consistent mechanism: during the hubbing process, the working hub that carries the design in relief impresses the working die (which carries the design incuse), and if the hub shifts slightly between impressions, the eyelid — one of the finest and most position-sensitive features on Lincoln's portrait — receives a secondary displaced impression. Three documented obverse doubled dies for 1939 indicates moderate variety diversity for the date, and the "strong" characterization of DDO-003's eyelid doubling suggests this may be among the more visually appealing entries in the 1939 doubled die catalog despite its third-listed position.

Die Markers

• UVC-1421
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References