1943 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-012

Description

A strong doubled die obverse on the 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent — struck in zinc-coated steel during the wartime composition change — the DDO-012 displays a dramatic northward spread manifesting as an extra eyelid on Lincoln's portrait. The extra eyelid effect, where a secondary line appears below the normal eyelid, is one of the most visually distinctive doubled die presentations on Lincoln Cents and is identifiable under moderate magnification. Cataloged by VarietyVista as UVC-1568 with die marriage reference DMR-024, the reverse die is listed as DDR-013, making this a dual-variety coin showing hub doubling on both sides. Three die states document the die's working life: Stage A in early die state pairs with the DDR-013 reverse also in early state, Stage B develops a light die crack on Lincoln's lapel indicating mid-die state with the reverse also at MDS, and Stage C in late die state remains unconfirmed. The progression from crack-free EDS to lapel crack at MDS provides a roadmap for dating individual specimens within the die's production sequence. The 1943 Lincoln Cent's zinc-coated steel composition — adopted because copper was needed for wartime ammunition shell casings — creates a distinctive silvery appearance, and doubled die varieties on these wartime steel cents combine historical significance with variety collecting appeal.

Die Markers

• UVC-1568
• DMR-024
• Stage A:
• Obverse is EDS
• Reverse is LISTED as DDR-013 – EDS
• Stage B:
• Light die crack on lapel – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill McMurray
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References