1939 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-013

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1939 1¢ WDDO-013 and cross-referenced as Coppercoins 1939P-1DO-006, this Lincoln Wheat Cent displays an extra eyelid visible north of the primary eyelid on Lincoln's portrait — a localized but diagnostically significant doubled die feature where the hub displacement was sufficient to create a clearly separated secondary eyelid line parallel to the original. Obverse die markers include a light die crack over the V.D.B. designer's initials, curving die scratches through IN GOD WE TRUST, and a die scratch running south-southeast from the T in LIBERTY. The reverse carries its own independently cataloged variety — a doubled die listed as WDDR-020 — making this a dual-variety die pair with doubled dies on both obverse and reverse. Reverse markers are extensive: a heavy die gouge south of the M in UNUM, two visible die clashes inside the C of CENT, a die scratch running northwest from the left horizontal bar of the T in CENT, a die gouge to the right of the T in UNITED, a die gouge above the F in OF, and a die crack on the lower right wheat stalk. The die clash evidence inside the C of CENT documents at least two separate instances where the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them, leaving transferred design impressions. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse Lincoln portrait, which has appeared continuously since 1909. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1939, the coin is composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. The doubled eyelid feature is particularly valued by variety collectors because facial features provide highly visible and easily photographed attribution points that can be confirmed with relatively low magnification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: Coppercoins: 1939P-1DO-006
• Coppercoins: 1939P-1DO-006; Wexler Variety ID: 1939 1¢ WDDO-013
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References