1942 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Identified as Wexler Variety ID 1942 1¢ WDDO-005, this Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent preserves a hub doubling event from the last full year of bronze cent production. The transition away from the original copper alloy was already being planned when these coins were struck, as the War Production Board recognized that the millions of pounds of copper consumed annually by the Mint could be redirected to munitions and communications equipment. WDDO-005 documents one of over twenty doubled die obverse varieties attributed to the 1942 date, reflecting both the scale of Philadelphia's production and the thoroughness of modern variety research. Doubled dies from the final bronze year carry a particular resonance for collectors who appreciate the material history of coinage — these pieces represent the end of a metallurgical tradition that had defined the Lincoln Cent since its 1909 debut. Examination under magnification should focus on the motto, date, and portrait details where hub displacement concentrates extra metal on raised design elements.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1942 1¢ WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References