1946-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Showing a spread to the south on the 19 in the date and the Y of LIBERTY, this 1946 San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent carries a combined Class IV and Class VIII doubled die obverse — an unusual pairing of offset and tilted hub doubling mechanisms. Cross-referenced as CONECA 7-O-IV+VIII and attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID 1946-S 1c WDDO-005. The obverse features a Sans Serif S mint mark, a notable characteristic for attribution, along with a die scratch running north from the Y of LIBERTY and die scratches running N/S below the one in the date. The reverse carries a die scratch running SW/NE to the left of the P in PLURIBUS, a die scratch running SE from the bottom left of the M in UNUM, and numerous other die scratches throughout. The Sans Serif S mint mark style was one of several S punch variants used at San Francisco during the 1940s, and its presence helps confirm die identity independent of the doubling. Combined Class IV+VIII doubling produces a complex spread pattern distinct from single-class varieties.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: CONECA: 7-O-IV+VIII
• CONECA: 7-O-IV+VIII; Wexler Variety ID: 1946-S 1¢ WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References