1945-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-016

Description

As the sixteenth and among the highest-numbered DDO varieties for the 1945-D Lincoln Wheat cent, WDDO-016 represents the outer boundary of documented hub doubling for this date-mint combination. Cataloged by the Wexler Team under cross-reference Wexler Variety ID: 1945-D 1¢ WDDO-016, this variety is a testament to the depth of variety research on wartime Lincoln cents. Sixteen distinct doubled die obverse varieties from a single date-mint pairing is remarkable by any standard, reflecting both Denver's enormous 1945 production volume of 266 million cents and the dedicated work of researchers who have systematically examined large quantities of this issue. Higher-numbered DDO varieties typically exhibit the most subtle doubling — often visible only under stereo microscope examination and requiring extensive comparison against master reference images for positive attribution. The practical challenge for collectors lies in the diminishing returns of pursuing ever-more-subtle varieties: while WDDO-001 through WDDO-005 might be identifiable with a standard 10x loupe, varieties in the 012-016 range often demand specialized equipment and advanced attribution skills. Nevertheless, completist collectors and serious variety researchers value the comprehensive documentation that entries like WDDO-016 contribute to the understanding of die preparation at Denver during the World War II era.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1945-D 1¢ WDDO-016
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References