1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-010

Description

Tenth doubled die reverse cataloged for the 1956 proof Lincoln Wheat Cent, WDDR-010 is part of a concentrated cluster of DDRs from the penultimate proof-only production year of the classic Wheat Cent design. Philadelphia's proof operations in 1956 produced approximately 669,384 proof sets, and the proof die preparation process — involving special polishing, chrome plating, and careful die inspection — might seem likely to catch hub misalignment before production began. Yet ten documented DDRs for this proof date demonstrate that hub doubling, which occurs during die manufacture rather than during striking, can pass inspection because the doubling may be subtle enough to escape visual detection on the finished die surface. The proof format actually enhances the visibility of hub doubling for collectors, as the mirror fields and sharp device definition characteristic of proof strikes render design overlap more distinctly than on business strikes. With the Wheat Cent reverse retiring after 1958 in favor of the Lincoln Memorial design, the 1956 proof date occupies a late position in the series chronology that appeals to completists. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID: 1956 1¢ Pr WDDR-010, this variety rewards examination under magnification where the proof surface makes even close spreads distinguishable from the primary design elements.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1956 1¢ Pr WDDR-010
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References