1943 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-016

Description

Attributed by VarietyVista with die marker reference UVC-2578 DMR-028, this 1943 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits a strong doubled die obverse spread north, most prominently visible as an extra eyelid on Lincoln's portrait. The extra eyelid is one of the most visually accessible doubled die diagnostics, identifiable even at moderate magnification. Three die stages have been documented: Stage A represents the early die state, Stage B shows the obverse at mid-die state with a die crack from the lower right wheat grains to the rim and another from the left wheat lines to the rim, and Stage C represents the late die state. The 1943 Lincoln Cent holds a unique place in American numismatics as the only year struck in zinc-coated steel rather than bronze, a wartime composition change to conserve copper for military applications during World War II. The steel planchets gave these cents their distinctive silver-gray appearance and magnetic properties, characteristics no other regular-issue Lincoln Cent shares. Steel cents are prone to corrosion when the zinc coating is compromised, making well-preserved doubled die varieties from this date especially desirable.

Die Markers

• UVC-2578
• DMR-028
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse is MDS
• Die crack from lower Right wheat grains to rim – MDS
• Die crack from Left wheat lines to rim
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References