1956 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with an extensive multi-stage die progression record, this 1956 Lincoln Wheat Cent DDO-001 shows light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST — a subtle but confirmed hub doubling on the motto that serves as the primary variety diagnostic. What makes this entry particularly rich is its detailed die stage documentation across three stages and two different die marker reference numbers. Stage A (UVC-1866, DMR-003) is documented as early die state, unconfirmed. Stage B exhibits a die gouge under the 5 of the date at mid-die-state, light die cracks across the upper hair and on the lapel, a die clash at the throat area, and a small die chip on the T of CENT at mid-die-state. Stage C (UVC-3026, DMR-018) shows heavy die cracks on the hair and forehead at late die state, a heavy die crack on the lapel, a reverse die change to mid-die-state — indicating the original reverse was replaced while this obverse continued in service — with the new reverse listed as DDR-008, plus a die chip on the T of CENT. The stage-to-stage progression from light cracks through heavy cracking documents the accelerating structural failure of this obverse die during its production life. Notably, Stage C is cross-listed as DDR-008 because the replacement reverse die introduced at that point is itself a doubled die reverse, creating a DDO/DDR combination pair. The 1956 Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in bronze composition (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse portrait, and the wheat ears reverse served from 1909 through 1958. The die clash at the throat in Stage B indicates this die pair experienced a planchet-free strike event, adding another layer of die history to an already complex die progression narrative.

Die Markers

• UVC-1866
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die gouge under 5 of date – MDS
• Light die crack across upper hair
• Light die crack on lapel
• Die clash at throat
• Small die chip on T of CENT – MDS
• UVC-3026
• DMR-018
• Stage C:
• Heavy die cracks on hair and forehead – LDS
• Heavy die crack on lapel
• Reverse die changed – MDS
• Reverse is LISTED as DDR-008
• Die chip on T of CENT

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References