1940 (D) Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1940-D 1¢ WDDO-001 and cross-referenced as CONECA 3-O-II-C+IV with a potential match to Coppercoins 1940D-1DO-001, this Lincoln Wheat Cent displays light doubling on the 40 in the date, the E in WE, and a northward spread on the eyelid and inner ear of Lincoln's portrait. The CONECA Class II-C+IV designation indicates a combination of Distorted Hub Doubling and Offset Hub Doubling — two distinct mechanisms acting simultaneously during the hubbing process, which produces a complex doubling pattern that varies in direction and intensity across different areas of the die face. Obverse die markers include a die scratch running south-southeast from the left side of the 1 in the date and die scratches running north to south in front of and behind Lincoln's head. The reverse exhibits die scratches running north-northwest to south-southeast through and below the C in CENT. Struck at the Denver Mint in 1940, this cent was produced in the standard bronze alloy of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. The 1940-D had a mintage of approximately 81.4 million pieces. Victor David Brenner's Lincoln portrait on the obverse carries the subtle eyelid and ear doubling that requires careful examination under 10x or higher magnification, as these facial features' fine detail makes even light displacement visible to the trained eye when the correct viewing angle and lighting conditions are employed.

Cross References

• CONECA: 3-O-II-C+IV, potentially Coppercoins: 1940D-1DO-001; Wexler Variety ID: 1940-D 1¢ WDDO-001

External References