1946-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Carrying the primary doubled die obverse designation for the 1946-S Lincoln Wheat Cent, this VarietyVista-cataloged variety presents medium spread on the numerals 19 of the date — the first two digits on Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait. The medium intensity positions the secondary contours at a clearly discernible distance from the primary image, concentrated on the 1 and 9 rather than the full four-digit date. An important secondary diagnostic accompanies this variety: the mintmark is classified as MMS-007, a sans serif S punch style. Sans serif punches produce an S with clean, unadorned terminals, while serif versions show small decorative extensions at the endpoints — this stylistic difference confirms the specific working die independent of the doubling. Die markers UVC-1736 and DMR-049 identify the die across three stages: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B in mid-die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C with both obverse and reverse in confirmed late die state. Struck at the San Francisco Mint in bronze — 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc — at 3.11 grams. Examine the 1 and 9 of the date for the medium spread, and verify the sans serif S mintmark (MMS-007) as a confirming diagnostic.

Die Markers

• UVC-1736
• DMR-049
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References