1943 (D) Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

During World War II, the United States Mint replaced the standard bronze Lincoln Cent with zinc-coated steel planchets to conserve copper for ammunition production, creating the only steel coins in regular American currency history. The Denver Mint struck 217,660,000 of these unusual cents in 1943, and WDDO-003 is one of more than thirty doubled die obverse varieties cataloged from this single issue. Doubled die obverses on steel cents are identified through the same methods used on copper issues — examining LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date for evidence of a secondary hub impression — though the zinc coating's reflective surface can sometimes complicate inspection under certain lighting conditions. The sheer volume of 1943-D steel cents produced under wartime urgency contributed to the large number of die varieties that collectors and attributors have subsequently documented. Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1943-D 1¢ WDDO-003.

Cross References

• Wexler Variety ID: 1943-D 1¢ WDDO-003

External References