1943-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista with die tracking code UVC-3341 and die marker reference DMR-018, this 1943-S Lincoln Wheat Cent DDR-004 exhibits extra thickness on E PLURIBUS UNUM, the dots, both wheat ears and stems, and the upper edges of ONE — widespread reverse doubling affecting the major inscription and design elements across the die face. Three documented die stages track the die's progression, with Stage A providing particularly notable information: early-mid die state (EMDS) shows a retained cud on the right wheat stalk — a die break where a fractured piece remained partially attached rather than falling away — along with a light die crack from the upper left wheat lines to the rim, while the obverse is also in EMDS. Stage B is mid-die-state (MDS), unconfirmed; Stage C is late die state (LDS), also unconfirmed. The retained cud on the right wheat at Stage A documents concurrent die failure occurring alongside the doubled die hubbing anomaly, creating a combination variety with both a hub doubling defect and a structural die failure on the same coin. The 1943-S Lincoln cent holds unique significance as one of the zinc-coated steel cents produced during World War II, when copper was diverted to military use. Unlike the standard bronze composition, the 1943 cents were struck on zinc-plated steel planchets, creating a distinctive silvery appearance. These steel cents weigh approximately 2.70 grams with a diameter of 19.05 mm. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, the 1943-S had a mintage of approximately 191.5 million pieces. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse portrait, and the wheat ears reverse amplifies doubled die visibility because the fine parallel lines of the wheat stalks make extra thickness readily detectable under magnification.

Die Markers

• UVC-3341
• DMR-018
• Stage A:
• Retained CUD on Right wheat – EMDS
• Light die crack upper Left wheat lines to rim
• Obverse is EMDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chris & Charity Welch, Cud reported by Michael L. Ellis
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References