1940-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-009

Description

Ninth in the Wexler doubled die obverse sequence for the 1940-D Lincoln Wheat Cent, WDDO-009 shows a close clockwise spread from a pivot at approximately 3 o'clock on the LIBE portion of LIBERTY. The pivot point and rotational direction provide insight into the die manufacturing error: during hubbing, the working die shifted in a clockwise arc around the 3 o'clock position between successive hub impressions, creating overlapping design elements that appear as doubled outlines on struck coins. The Wexler Team documents specific die markers for attribution: on the obverse, a weak die scratch runs SSE from the bottom front of Lincoln's chin, and weak die scratches run SSE from the lips; on the reverse, a die scratch runs NNW from the top right of the E in AMERICA. These directional markers — the chin and lip scratches on the obverse and the AMERICA scratch on the reverse — collectively fingerprint this die pair beyond the doubling pattern itself. The Wexler Variety ID is "1940-D 1c WDDO-009" with no additional cross-references to other attribution services recorded. The 1940-D Lincoln Wheat Cent was produced at the Denver Mint during the pre-war period when cent production was ramping up to support a growing wartime economy. Nine doubled die obverses for this date indicates that the 1940-D has received thorough examination from variety researchers. The clockwise pivot spread from the 3 o'clock position creates a distinctive pattern where the LIBE letters show the strongest doubling while elements further from the pivot point exhibit progressively less displacement.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Shields Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1940-D 1¢ WDDO-009
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References