1942 Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-013

Description

Thirteenth doubled die reverse attributed by the Wexler Team for the 1942 Lincoln Wheat Cent, this variety carries the designation 1942 1c WDDR-013 with no other known cross-references. Thirteen DDRs from a single date is an extraordinary concentration, placing 1942 among the most extensively documented years for reverse hub varieties in the Lincoln Cent series. The wartime context of 1942 — America's first full year of World War II following Pearl Harbor — drove the Philadelphia Mint to produce cents at maximum capacity, consuming an unprecedented number of die pairs and generating the statistical foundation for this many documented hub alignment varieties. Each doubled die reverse represents a distinct die where the hub entered the die blank at a slightly different position on successive impressions, leaving unique overlapping design elements in the finished die. The 1942 cent was struck in the standard bronze composition of 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc — the final year of this traditional alloy before the dramatic switch to zinc-coated steel in 1943. Victor David Brenner's wheat ears reverse, with its paired stalks, denomination, mottoes, and national inscription, provided the intricate design canvas where thirteen distinct patterns of hub misalignment could each produce a uniquely identifiable doubled die variety. Collectors pursuing a complete set of 1942 DDRs face a considerable challenge given the scope of documented varieties.

Cross References

• Wexler Variety ID: 1942 1¢ WDDR-013

External References