1940 (S) Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-006

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team, this 1940-S Lincoln Wheat Cent carries a doubled die reverse with close spread towards center affecting both wheat ears, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the separator dots. Struck in bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) at the San Francisco Mint, the 1940-S had modest production relative to Philadelphia and Denver, lending S-mint die varieties inherent scarcity. The close spread towards center indicates hub doubling where the hub shifted minimally between impressions, producing subtle but measurable displacement. On the obverse, a die crack extends south from E in LIBERTY, and a die scratch runs south from the lower right of D in GOD. The reverse carries a die gouge through the lines of the upper left wheat stalk, a short die gouge at the top left of N in UNUM, another die gouge in the lower left wheat stalk, and a die scratch right of E in ONE. Brenner's Wheat Cent was in its thirty-first year of production when this die was made, part of a series continuing until 1958.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1940-S 1¢ WDDR-006

External References