1946 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Among the many doubled die obverse varieties documented for the first post-war Lincoln Wheat Cent, WDDO-005 records a hub misalignment during die production that left visible doubling on the obverse design elements. During the hubbing process, if the hub and die are not perfectly aligned on successive impressions, the result is a doubled image transferred into the working die — and every coin struck from that die carries the doubling. The 1946 date marks the return to full peacetime production after World War II, with Philadelphia striking enormous quantities of Victor David Brenner's iconic bronze Lincoln Cent in its traditional 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc composition. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID 1946 1¢ WDDO-005, this variety rewards careful examination under magnification. Collectors pursuing the Wheat Cent series from 1909 to 1958 will find that post-war dates like 1946 produced numerous doubled die varieties due to high production volumes that consumed many die pairs, each carrying the potential for hub misalignment during manufacture.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1946 1¢ WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References