1955 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-003

Description

One of the most remarkable die progressions documented in the Lincoln Wheat Cent series, this 1955 Proof DDR-003 displays strong hub doubling spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM, the separator dots, and the upper wheat ears — and its four-stage die history includes the extraordinary event of an obverse die change mid-life while the same reverse die remained in service. Stages A and B share UVC-1852 and DMR-015: Stage A pairs this reverse die in early die state (EDS) with an obverse already at late die state (LDS) — an asymmetric pairing where the obverse was far more worn than the reverse. A die gouge near the rim between UN of UNUM marks this early stage. Stage B shows the reverse advancing to early-mid die state (EMDS) while the obverse reaches very late die state (VLDS). At that point, the worn obverse die was retired and replaced. Stages C and D use the new obverse under UVC-1856 and DMR-019: Stage C shows the replacement obverse and reverse both at mid-die state (MDS), and Stage D records both at late die state (LDS). This obverse die swap during a proof die's service life is exceptionally unusual and documents Mint die management practices where a viable reverse die was preserved while its obverse partner was replaced. A proof striking, this variety rewards collectors who can trace the full four-stage progression.

Die Markers

• UVC-1852
• DMR-015
• Stage A:
• Die gouge near rim between UN of UNUM – EDS
• Obverse is LDS
• Stage B:
• Reverse is EMDS
• Obverse is VLDS
• UVC-1856
• DMR-019
• Stage C:
• Reverse is MDS
• Obverse die changed – MDS
• Stage D:
• Reverse and Obverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Rahn Ruedy
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References