1944-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Fifth in the Wexler-documented obverse doubled die census for the 1944-S Lincoln wheat cent, WDDO-005 is attributed with a westward spread showing doubling on Lincoln's eye and eyelid on Victor David Brenner's portrait. The Wexler Team's documentation includes an important caveat: the cataloger notes a desire to see a specimen for further examination to determine if this truly represents a doubled die, as no doubled eye or eyelid could be discerned from the photographs in the Wexler files, and the listing may be replaced if it remains unproven. This transparent acknowledgment of uncertainty is characteristic of rigorous attribution practices, where provisional listings are maintained with documentation of their unconfirmed status rather than being either prematurely accepted or silently removed. Obverse die markers offer detailed secondary diagnostics: two strong diagonal die scratches visible under Lincoln's eye and on the lower nose, plus die clash marks appearing above the tie, extending from the vest to left of the numeral 1, and behind the neck. The die clash marks indicate this die experienced at least one clash event where the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet, transferring reverse design impressions onto the obverse die surface. No significant reverse die markers were noted. San Francisco struck approximately 282.76 million cents in 1944, a substantial wartime production year when demand for circulating coinage remained high. The Wexler Team cataloged this variety under Wexler Variety ID: 1944-S 1¢ WDDO-005. Collectors interested in this variety should be aware of its provisional status and examine the eye and eyelid area under 15-20x magnification for westward displacement, while using the strong diagonal die scratches under the eye as die confirmation markers.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jose L Cortez Cross References: None known Comments: I would like to see a copy of this die for further examination to determine if this truly represents a doubled die. No doubled eye or eyelid could be discerned from the photos in the Wexler files. This listing may end up replaced if it remains unproven.
• None known Comments: I would like to see a copy of this die for further examination to determine if this truly represents a doubled die. No doubled eye or eyelid could be discerned from the photos in the Wexler files. This listing may end up replaced if it remains unproven.; Wexler Variety ID: 1944-S 1¢ WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References