1942 Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-012

Description

Twelfth doubled die reverse cataloged for the 1942 Lincoln Wheat Cent, WDDR-012 further demonstrates the prolific nature of die variety creation during one of the most consequential years in American numismatic history. The 1942 date sits at the intersection of wartime mobilization and the last year of standard bronze cent production — the following year would bring the unprecedented zinc-coated steel composition that remains one of the most recognizable anomalies in U.S. coinage history. During 1942, Philadelphia's cent dies were produced through the standard hubbing process where a hardened master hub was pressed into annealed working dies in multiple impressions. Hub shifts between those impressions created dies with doubled design elements, and WDDR-012 preserves the specific doubling pattern from one such misalignment event. Twelve DDRs for a wartime date represents substantial documentation, though it is far from exhaustive — additional varieties likely remain undiscovered in unsearched rolls and accumulations from this heavily saved date. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID: 1942 1¢ WDDR-012, this variety is one of the most accessible wartime doubled dies for collectors due to the large surviving population of 1942 cents in all grades.

Cross References

• Wexler Variety ID: 1942 1¢ WDDR-012

External References