1956-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Holding the fifth position in the 1956-D DDO catalog, WDDO-005 occupies an early-to-mid slot that typically corresponds to varieties with visible but not dramatic hub doubling characteristics. The Wexler Team documented this die under Wexler Variety ID: 1956-D 1¢ WDDO-005, establishing its identity through the standard protocol of comparing spread direction, magnitude, and affected design elements against all other known 1956-D DDO varieties. Denver's 1956 cent production surpassed 1.098 billion pieces, generating an enormous throughput of working dies and, consequently, an above-average incidence of hub doubling anomalies. The fifth entry in a catalog of at least ten DDO varieties suggests WDDO-005 was among the earlier documented finds — prominent enough to have been identified in the initial survey waves of 1956-D die study, yet positioned after four still-stronger varieties that earned lower catalog numbers. Diagnostic examination for WDDO-005 centers on the obverse design elements where secondary hub displacement creates visible separation: motto letters, date profiles, and the contours of Lincoln's portrait and shoulder are all potential diagnostic zones. The billion-plus mintage ensures that specimens of WDDO-005 exist in substantial absolute numbers, distributed across all grade levels from well-worn Good to pristine Gem Mint State, making this an achievable variety target for collectors who can correctly distinguish it from the other nine-plus DDO entries sharing the same date and mintmark.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1956-D 1¢ WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References