1945 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Ranked as DDO-001 for the 1945 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, this is the strongest known doubled die obverse for the date, exhibiting strong extra thickness on the date, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST. Strong spread on these key obverse elements makes this variety among the more dramatic doubled dies for World War II era Wheat Cents, when copper composition had returned after the 1943 zinc-coated steel year and the 1944 shell case alloy transition. Die markers cataloged under UVC-1661 and DMR-002 identify three stages: Stage A is early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B is mid-die-state (unconfirmed), and Stage C shows a die scratch running north from the 1 in the date at late die state, with the reverse also at late die state. The progression without intermediate structural failures suggests this die maintained integrity throughout service despite the strong doubling from hub misalignment. Collectors should examine the date, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST for the pronounced extra thickness that distinguishes this variety.

Die Markers

• UVC-1661
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Die scratch North from 1 of date – LDS
• Reverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References