1940 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Listed as VarietyVista DDO-003, the 1940 Lincoln Wheat cent doubled die obverse shows light extra thickness on the date, WE TRUST, and LIBERTY, characteristic of a subtle hub doubling event during die preparation at the Philadelphia Mint. This variety is cataloged as UVC-1440 DMR-005 and has been documented across multiple die stages. Stage A represents the early die state, with both obverse and reverse in EDS condition. Stage B at mid-die-state remains unconfirmed. Stage C captures the late die state, where the obverse exhibits a die crack running from the lower right wheat stalk to the rim, a progressive failure that helps identify late-stage examples. The Lincoln Wheat cent series, designed by Victor David Brenner and produced from 1909 through 1958, remains one of the most actively collected denominations for die varieties. The 1940 Philadelphia issue had a substantial mintage, meaning die pairs endured extended production runs that generated the kind of progressive deterioration visible in the Stage C die crack. Collectors should examine the date digits and LIBERTY under magnification, where the extra thickness from doubling is most readily detected.

Die Markers

• UVC-1440
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LDS
• Die crack lower Right wheat to rim – LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References