1952 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-1805 and DMR-005, DDR-001 on the 1952 Lincoln Wheat cent exhibits a light spread and extra thickness on E PLURIBUS UNUM, the dots flanking the motto, and the wheat ears — three of the most prominent reverse design elements on Victor David Brenner's classic Wheat reverse. Three die stages have been identified: Stage A in early die state remains unconfirmed, Stage B shows the reverse in mid die state with a light die crack on the lower shoulder and a die clash at the throat on the obverse, and Stage C in late die state is unconfirmed. The combination of a die crack and die clash at Stage B provides two independent attribution markers that confirm the specific working die. The 1952 Lincoln Wheat cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 95% copper and 5% tin-and-zinc, weighing 3.11 grams with a diameter of 19.05 mm. As DDR-001 in the catalog sequence, this is the first and presumably most prominent doubled die reverse documented for the 1952 Philadelphia issue. The light spread and extra thickness classification indicates doubling visible as enhanced line weight on the affected design elements rather than clearly separated secondary impressions, requiring careful side-by-side comparison with a normal strike to appreciate the additional metal displacement. Produced during the post-war era with a Philadelphia mintage of approximately 186.9 million pieces, the 1952 cent is common in circulation grades but the DDR-001 variety adds meaningful numismatic premium to well-preserved examples.

Die Markers

• UVC-1805
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse is MDS
• Light die crack on lower shoulder – MDS
• Die clash at throat
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References