1955-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-011

Description

While the famous 1955 doubled die cent is universally associated with the Philadelphia Mint's dramatic Class I DDO, the Denver facility produced its own series of more subtle doubled dies that same year, and WDDO-011 captures one such variety. An extra eyelid appears below the normal eyelid on Victor David Brenner's Lincoln portrait — the signature diagnostic for many Lincoln cent doubled die obverses where the hub misalignment shifts the facial features just enough to create a ghostly second eyelid impression. Die markers include die scratches running between the T and R in TRUST on the obverse, providing an independent fingerprint for this specific working die that helps distinguish WDDO-011 from the other documented DDOs for the date. No significant reverse die markers were noted. The Wexler Team cataloged this as Wexler Variety ID: 1955-D 1c WDDO-011. Denver struck approximately 563.3 million wheat cents in 1955, a substantial output that generated numerous working dies and proportional opportunities for hub-doubling events. The extra eyelid diagnostic requires careful examination under magnification, ideally with oblique lighting that shadows the shallow secondary impression to enhance contrast against the primary eyelid. The die scratches between T and R in TRUST serve as a rapid screening tool — collectors can first check for this die marker before investing the more painstaking examination time needed to confirm the subtle eyelid doubling. The 1955-D date carries no particular base premium, making die varieties the primary source of collector interest beyond the standard wheat cent appeal.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Keith Christenson Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1955-D 1¢ WDDO-011
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References