1946 (D) Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Carrying a companion obverse independently cataloged as 1946-D 1¢ WDDO-007 in the Wexler Doubled Die Files, WDDR-001 for the 1946-D Lincoln wheat cent represents another instance where both obverse and reverse dies in a single pairing carry recognized doubled die attributions. The obverse shows a close spread toward the center on the date and WE TRUST, while the reverse -- the primary subject of this listing -- documents the doubled die reverse variety cataloged by the Wexler Team under the designation 1946-D 1¢ WDDR-001. Reverse die markers include horizontal die scratches between the upper N and T in CENT and a small die gouge (dot) above the right side of the D in UNITED. No additional cross-references exist in CONECA or other attribution systems. The dual DDO/DDR pairing is diagnostically valuable because collectors who identify either variety on a specimen automatically know to examine the opposite side for the companion variety, potentially doubling the attribution significance of a single coin. Denver struck 315,690,000 wheat cents in 1946, the first full year of post-war production, still in the 95% copper, 5% zinc shell-case alloy used since 1944. The 1946-D date marks the beginning of the postwar era in American numismatics, when military production needs gave way to consumer economy demands, and the die pairs used that year reflect the Mint's transition back to peacetime operating rhythms after years of wartime production pressures.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1946-D 1¢ WDDR-001

External References