1944-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Bearing the primary Wexler doubled die reverse designation for the 1944-S Lincoln Wheat Cent, WDDR-001 shows light extra thickness on E PLURIBUS UNUM, both dots flanking the motto, and both upper wheat ears on the reverse. The die also carries several distinctive secondary markers: a die crack running along the base of Lincoln's bust from the front of the arm, a diagonal die scratch to the right of the lower E in ONE, a short die gouge extending from the lower C in CENT, and a die gouge positioned between I and T in UNITED. This constellation of markers — particularly the bust base crack and the multiple gouges around CENT and UNITED — provides a reliable multi-point diagnostic framework beyond the doubling itself. The 1944-S was struck in the shell-case copper alloy used from 1944 through 1946, composed of recycled ammunition brass cartridge cases that give these cents a subtly different color tone compared to the pre-war bronze alloy. San Francisco production of Wheat Cents continued at high volume during the final years of the war. Cross-referenced as Wexler 1944-S 1-cent WDDR-001. Attributed by the Wexler Team.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1944-S 1¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References