1940-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Presenting close spread toward the center on the digits 40 in the date, this 1940 San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent WDDO-005 places a secondary hub impression near the primary numerals. The close spread is accompanied by an unusually rich cluster of die scratches concentrated around the date area: scratches running north-south below the four, northwest from the left side of the four, north-northeast from the top of the one, and north-south to the right of Lincoln's profile. This constellation of die scratches — attributed by the Wexler Team — provides multiple markers within a compact zone of the obverse, making confident die identification straightforward once the diagnostic map is understood. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1940-S 1c WDDO-005, this San Francisco Mint variety dates from the pre-war production era when the S mint was producing cents at relatively modest volumes compared to Philadelphia. The concentration of die scratches near the date suggests tool marks from die preparation or maintenance activity focused in the lower obverse field.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1940-S 1¢ WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References