1939 Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

Cataloged as Wexler Variety ID 1939 1¢ WDDR-003, this 1939 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent displays a very close Class II spread on the E in EPU and the left wheat ear. On the obverse, WSW/ENE die scratches are present on the lower area of the ear opening, and die scratches run N/S through the 3 in the date. On the reverse, die scratches run roughly NNW to SSE through the left wheat tip and E in EPU along with fields and lettering on the left side of the reverse. A die clash is visible at the C in CENT through the N of UNITED and then lightly to the O in OF. Struck in 95% copper at the Philadelphia Mint on the eve of World War II, the 1939 Wheat Cent comes from a year of increasing production as military preparedness boosted demand for coinage. The die clash evidence on the reverse provides additional diagnostic interest beyond the primary doubled die feature, recording an instance where the dies contacted each other without a planchet in between during this die's working life.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1939 1¢ WDDR-003

External References