1957 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Light doubling below the B of LIBERTY distinguishes this fourth cataloged doubled die obverse for the 1957 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, one of the final issues before the series ended in 1958. Attributed by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-1893 and DMR-006, this variety progresses through three documented die stages: Stage A shows both obverse and reverse in Early to Mid Die State (EMDS), Stage B introduces a BIE-type die break between the B and I of LIBERTY at Mid Die State with the reverse also at MDS, and Stage C reaches Late Die State though this remains unconfirmed. The progression from a clean die face to one exhibiting a BIE break provides a fascinating case study in die deterioration — the same die that produced the doubled die also developed a separate rim-to-rim fracture through the LIBERTY inscription. Doubled die obverses form during the hubbing process when the hub and die are slightly misaligned between successive impressions, transferring a secondary offset image onto the working die. The 1957 Wheat Cent was produced exclusively at Philadelphia during the post-war boom years, with mintages high enough that die varieties had reasonable survival rates despite heavy circulation.

Die Markers

• UVC-1893
• DMR-006
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EMDS
• Stage B:
• Die Break BIE – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

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

External References