1945 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-008

Description

Among the many doubled die obverse varieties documented on the 1945 Philadelphia Lincoln Wheat cent, WDDO-008 occupies a specific place in the die variety census. Attributed as Wexler Variety ID: 1945 1¢ WDDO-008, this coin was struck from shell-case brass — recycled military cartridge cases yielding a 95% copper, 5% zinc alloy without the tin present in pre-war bronze. Over one billion examples left the Philadelphia presses that year, driven by wartime economic demand. Hub doubling occurs when the hub impresses the die in multiple strokes, and even a fractional shift can impart a secondary outline to Victor David Brenner's obverse design, then in its 36th year. The doubling may present as subtle separation in IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, or the date, depending on the class involved. Identifying this variety requires patience and a loupe of at least 5x magnification. As the war drew to a close, these cents passed through the hands of soldiers, factory workers, and families awaiting the return to peacetime — each coin a quiet artifact of that era.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1945 1¢ WDDO-008
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References