1944 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Fifth doubled die obverse for the record-setting 1944 Philadelphia Wheat Cent, a date whose shell-case brass composition and 1.43-billion-piece mintage together create one of the most intensively studied populations for die variety research. WDDO-005 occupies an early position in the Wexler catalog, generally indicating a variety with meaningful doubling spread visible on the obverse inscriptions and portrait details. Wexler Variety ID: 1944 1¢ WDDO-005 is documented without supplementary die markers or competing cross-references. Shell-case brass — refined from approximately 70% copper and 30% zinc military cartridge casings — produced cents with a subtly warmer golden tone and slightly different die wear patterns compared to standard bronze. The five DDO varieties cataloged through this number for 1944 already establish a meaningful body of hub doubling documentation, with additional entries extending well beyond into double-digit catalog positions. Each variety represents a unique alignment failure during a distinct hubbing session on a separate working die.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1944 1¢ WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References