1940-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004

Description

Bearing VarietyVista codes UVC-1460 and DMR-013, this fourth doubled die reverse for the 1940-S Lincoln Wheat Cent displays light extra thickness on the right wheat stalk — one of the two stylized wheat ears that frame the reverse inscription. The variety gains substantial additional interest from its die pairing: the obverse die is listed as the Early-to-Mid Die State (EMDS) of DDO-002, meaning the same coin can carry both a doubled die obverse and a doubled die reverse — a dual-variety combination that collectors prize for its attribution depth. Stage A die markers show the reverse at EMDS with the obverse carrying DDO-002 in EMDS, accompanied by a light die crack running Northeast across Lincoln's forehead. Stage B at Mid-Die State and Stage C at Late Die State both remain unconfirmed. The die crack across the forehead in Stage A provides a third diagnostic element beyond the DDR and DDO, making early die state specimens particularly rich in attributable features. The 1940-S Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint in standard bronze composition, during a pre-war production year when Mint operations had not yet been disrupted by wartime material restrictions. VarietyVista's notation that the obverse is listed as DDO-002 establishes a die marriage record that connects two independently documented varieties — researchers examining the obverse for DDO-002 can flip the coin and find DDR-004, and vice versa. This die marriage makes the 1940-S DDR-004 a particularly rewarding find for cherry-pickers who check both sides systematically.

Die Markers

• UVC-1460
• DMR-013
• Stage A:
• Reverse is EMDS
• Obverse is LISTED as DDO-002 – EMDS
• Light die crack Northeast across forehead
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References