1944 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-013

Description

Thirteenth doubled die obverse for the 1944 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, DDO-013 displays a medium spread below RTY of LIBERTY — indicating the secondary hub impression shifted downward relative to the first, creating a visible shadow beneath these three letters. Cataloged by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-3358 and DMR-017, the variety presents Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B with both obverse and reverse in late-mid die state (LMDS), and Stage C in late die state (unconfirmed). The LMDS designation for Stage B is notable — it represents a transitional wear state between mid and late that is not always distinguished in die stage documentation, suggesting careful examination of this die pair's progression. Thirteen documented DDOs for the 1944-P Wheat Cent reflects the large number of obverse dies consumed during wartime production, when the Philadelphia Mint operated at peak capacity to meet the enormous demand for circulating coinage generated by the wartime economy. The medium spread below RTY places the doubling in the right portion of the LIBERTY inscription, and the downward displacement creates shelf-like doubling beneath the letter bases that can be detected under moderate magnification. The 1944 Lincoln Cent was struck on the standard bronze alloy, having returned to normal composition after the 1943 zinc-coated steel experiment, and the familiar bronze planchets interacted with dies in well-understood ways. DMR-017 provides a die-specific marker for confirming attribution beyond the primary doubling characteristic.

Die Markers

• UVC-3358
• DMR-017
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are LMDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jason Cuvelier
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References