1940 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-018

Description

Cross-referenced as CONECA 3-O-VI by the Wexler Team, WDDO-018 on the 1940 Philadelphia Lincoln wheat cent shows extra thickness on the date, LIBE (the first four letters of LIBERTY), and lightly on IGWT (IN GOD WE TRUST). The CONECA classification as 3-O-VI indicates this is the 3rd obverse variety cataloged as Class VI (distended hub doubling) — a mechanism where the hub metal flowed or distorted during the hubbing process, creating a stretched or expanded appearance on design elements rather than the sharply offset secondary image of Class I rotational doubling. The varying intensity across different inscriptions — stronger on the date and LIBE, lighter on IGWT — reflects the uneven nature of hub distension, which affects different areas of the die face to different degrees depending on their distance from the distension's center. Obverse die markers are scattered across multiple design elements: die gouges on the B in LIBERTY, the N in IN, the U in TRUST, and below Lincoln's nose. The reverse carries a die scratch running SSE from the O in ONE, a die scratch running SSE to the right of the D in UNITED, and die gouges on the second S in STATES. The 1940 Philadelphia cent had a mintage exceeding 586 million pieces, reflecting the economic recovery that preceded America's entry into World War II. The CONECA cross-reference provides independent verification beyond the Wexler catalog.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis Cross References: CONECA: 3-O-VI
• CONECA: 3-O-VI; Wexler Variety ID: 1940 1¢ WDDO-018
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References