1944 Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-017

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team (Variety ID: 1944 1c WDDO-017), this 1944 Philadelphia Lincoln Wheat cent shows hub doubling across three areas of the obverse. A spread to the north is visible on the TY of LIBERTY, with letters showing notching on their northern edges. The 194 in the date is spread to the west. A strong clockwise spread appears on the second T in TRUST — the most boldly expressed element and the primary diagnostic for attribution. Obverse die markers include numerous circular die scratches on Lincoln's neck and die scratches running from southwest to northeast below IN GOD. Reverse markers are equally distinctive: a die gouge from the bottom left of the first U in UNUM; two parallel die scratches from west-southwest to east-northeast through the upper letters of OF; and a die scratch running west to east through the upper UNI of UNITED. No cross-references to other attribution systems are established for WDDO-017. The 1944 Wheat cent was struck at Philadelphia in large quantities after the change from the wartime zinc-coated steel composition to a copper-zinc alloy, making attributed variety specimens with confirmed obverse doubling and reverse markers stand apart.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1944 1¢ WDDO-017

External References