1941 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-006

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-3119 and DMR-032, this sixth doubled die reverse for the 1941 Lincoln Wheat Cent shows medium extra thickness on E PLURIBUS UNUM and both wheat ears — the signature design elements of Victor David Brenner's Wheat Cent reverse that was in continuous use from 1909 through 1958. Die state records indicate Stage A at Early Die State is unconfirmed, Stage B with both reverse and obverse at Mid Die State as the confirmed observation, and Stage C at Late Die State unconfirmed. The MDS confirmation suggests the known specimens were struck after the die had seen moderate use, which may have slightly softened the extra thickness compared to what it would display on Early Die State coins. Extra thickness on the lettering E PLURIBUS UNUM and on both wheat ears indicates the doubling was uniformly distributed across the reverse design, consistent with a hub displacement that shifted the entire reverse image rather than affecting only a localized area. The 1941 Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck on the eve of America's entry into World War II, during the final year of normal copper composition before the wartime 1943 steel cents and the 1944-1945 shell case alloy cents altered the series' metallurgy. Six documented DDR varieties for 1941 reflects the thorough examination this pre-war date has received from researchers working through the extensive Wheat Cent series.

Die Markers

• UVC-3119
• DMR-032
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Al Raddi
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References