1950-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team, this 1950-D Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits an extra eyelid under the normal eyelid, a characteristic hub doubling feature affecting the fine detail of Lincoln's portrait. The extra eyelid manifests as a secondary line beneath the primary lid, requiring magnification but providing an unmistakable attribution point once located. Obverse die markers include a gouge on the vest fold, a scratch from the mintmark area, and a gouge at the rim between U and S of TRUST, providing multiple confirmation points for this die marriage. Struck in the standard copper-zinc composition (95% copper, 5% zinc), the 1950-D was produced at the Denver Mint during an era when the Wheat Cent design was entering its final decade before the Memorial reverse replaced it in 1959. Extra eyelid doubled die obverses appear across multiple dates in the Lincoln Cent series, representing subtle hub doubling that targets delicate facial engraving rather than bolder lettering or date elements. WDDO-005's combination of the eyelid feature with its distinctive die markers makes it identifiable through both the primary variety characteristic and supporting diagnostics. Die Markers: Obverse: A die gouge curves from SSW to NNE and then east on the bottom right of the center fold in the vest. A short die scratch runs north from the top left of the mint mark. A die gouge can be found at the rim between the U and S in TRUST. Reverse: A die scratch runs from SW to NE to the left of the E in EPU. A die scratch runs from WSW to ENE above the second A in AMERICA.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1950-D 1¢ WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References