1943 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-014

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1943 1-cent WDDO-014, this Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits an extra eyelid positioned well southeast of the main eyelid — a localized but visually distinctive doubling feature on one of the portrait's most recognizable anatomical elements. The variety carries additional significance because the reverse die is itself a doubled die listed in the Wexler files as 1943 1-cent WDDR-009, creating a DDO/DDR combination where both faces of the coin exhibit independently cataloged hub anomalies. Obverse die markers include die scratches running NW/SE across the cheek and a short vertical die gouge east of the upper N in IN. Reverse markers include a die crack running from the upper left O in ONE northward to the rim between UR in PLURIBUS, a die gouge dot below the lower right N in ONE, and a long die scratch running SSW from between the lower R in AMERICA. The 1943 Lincoln Cent is historically significant as the zinc-coated steel issue produced during World War II when copper was diverted to military ammunition production. Unlike standard bronze cents, the 1943 issue was struck on zinc-coated steel planchets weighing approximately 2.7 grams with the standard 19.05 mm diameter. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse. The doubled eyelid's southeast displacement creates a shadow-like effect that can be spotted under 7x-10x magnification, and its position well separated from the primary eyelid — rather than closely overlapping — makes it one of the more accessible doubled die features to confirm on steel cents, where the different surface characteristics can sometimes complicate variety examination.

Attribution History

• s:; Wexler Variety ID: 1943 1¢ WDDO-014
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References