1944-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-010

Description

The tenth doubled die obverse cataloged for the 1944-S Lincoln Wheat cent, WDDO-010 sits in the middle of the documented sequence for this wartime San Francisco issue. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1944-S 1¢ WDDO-010 and attributed by the Wexler Team, this variety is one of eighteen-plus DDO listings for the date-mint, reflecting the prolific die consumption necessitated by San Francisco's 1944 output of over 282 million shell-case brass cents. WDDO-010 occupies a transitional zone in the catalog — past the most visually striking early discoveries but well before the extremely subtle higher-numbered varieties that push the limits of detectability. At this position in the sequence, collectors can typically expect doubling that is confirmable with a quality 10x loupe by an experienced attributor, though it may not leap out to the casual observer. The shell-case copper planchets used for 1944-S cents have a characteristic slightly brassy appearance that distinguishes them from pre-war and post-war bronze, and this compositional distinction can assist in quick date identification when sorting through mixed accumulations. For definitive attribution, the specific combination of doubled design elements and spread direction must match the Wexler master entry for WDDO-010, excluding all other numbered varieties for the same date-mint.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1944-S 1¢ WDDO-010
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References