1946 Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-014

Description

Attributed as Wexler Variety ID: 1946 1¢ WDDO-014, this doubled die obverse was produced during a year that saw Philadelphia's cent presses running at near-peak capacity. The 991,655,000 cents struck in 1946 reflected explosive peacetime demand — rationing had ended and consumers were spending freely after years of wartime austerity. Each cent was composed of shell-case brass, 95% copper and 5% zinc recycled from military cartridge cases. The hub doubling that distinguishes WDDO-014 occurred at the die level, not during striking — a doubled die is a die-making error affecting every coin from that die, while machine doubling is a random striking anomaly. The tools of attribution include a quality loupe, published reference photographs, and understanding of the eight hub doubling classes that categorize each variety's mechanical origin. For the 1946 cent, the volume of documented varieties serves as both invitation and challenge — an invitation because specimens are available, and a challenge because distinguishing one WDDO from another requires careful observation of which design elements carry doubling and in what direction the secondary image is displaced.

Cross References

• Wexler Variety ID: 1946 1¢ WDDO-014

External References