1943 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Light spread on BER of LIBERTY and the letters IN distinguishes this third documented doubled die obverse for the 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent, a wartime steel cent documented by VarietyVista under die markers UVC-1548 and DMR-004. The doubling affects only a portion of the LIBERTY inscription and the beginning of IN GOD WE TRUST, indicating localized hub displacement during die manufacture rather than a comprehensive shift affecting all design elements. Stage A shows the obverse in early die state with a notable progression marker: a die crack developing from the middle of the right wheat ear to the rim, classified as middle die state on the reverse. Stages B (MDS) and C (LDS) remain unconfirmed. The VarietyVista notation indicates a specimen is needed for new color photographs and die stage confirmation, suggesting this variety has limited documentation and additional examples would advance research. The 1943 cent is the sole year of zinc-coated steel composition in the Lincoln series, introduced when copper was diverted for World War II ammunition casings. Philadelphia struck approximately 684 million steel cents in 1943, an enormous output that generated many die pairs and consequently many die varieties. The steel composition created unique striking dynamics, as the harder planchets produced sharper design details but also placed greater stress on the dies.

Die Markers

• UVC-1548
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• Obverse is EDS
• Die crack from middle of the Right wheat to rim – MDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Charles Corry
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References