1946 (D) Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-023

Description

Notable for its extra eyelid — a popular diagnostic among Lincoln Cent doubled die collectors — this 1946-D doubled die obverse shows a secondary eyelid impression below Lincoln's normal eyelid, created when the hub impressed the die at a slightly different position during subsequent hubbing. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID WDDO-023, this variety carries several distinctive die markers: a die scratch running east-southeast from the upper side of the U in TRUST connecting to the S, a die clash mark from the reverse bowtie visible on the obverse, and die scratches south-southwest to north-northeast left of Lincoln's head. On the reverse, numerous die scratches appear inside the C of CENT. The die clash mark from the bowtie indicates this obverse die was involved in a clashing event where obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them, transferring design elements across dies. Twenty-three documented doubled die obverses for the 1946-D reflects the extraordinary variety density of this postwar issue, where Denver's rush to meet civilian demand after World War II generated a rich field for researchers.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1946-D 1¢ WDDO-023

External References