1957 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-013

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 1957 1-cent Proof WDDR-013, this Lincoln Wheat Cent doubled die reverse is a proof issue displaying a close spread towards the center on E PLURIBUS UNUM, the dots flanking the motto, and both upper wheat ears, with extra thickness visible on both wheat stems. The "close spread towards the center" classification indicates the hub doubling produced secondary impressions that are offset slightly inward toward the center of the die, creating a concentric contraction effect rather than a lateral shift. The involvement of multiple design elements — the motto, decorative dots, wheat ears, and stems — provides numerous attribution points distributed across the reverse face. Obverse die markers include a small die gouge to the right of the second wheat ear (counted from the viewer's perspective), while the reverse shows no significant additional markers beyond the doubled elements themselves. No other cross-references are known. The Lincoln Wheat Cent proof was designed by Victor David Brenner (obverse) and featured the Wheat Ears reverse in use from 1909 through 1958. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc composition, the coin weighs 3.11 grams at 19.05 mm diameter. The 1957 proof set had a mintage of approximately 1,247,952 sets, reflecting growing collector interest in proof coins during the late 1950s. The combination of proof surfaces — with their mirror-like fields and frosted design elements — and the centripetal doubled die spread on the wheat ear design creates a distinctive visual effect, as the reflective fields can highlight the secondary impressions more vividly than the matte surfaces of business strikes. Collectors should examine EPU and the wheat ears under 10x magnification, using the proof mirror fields as a natural contrast enhancer for detecting the close-spread doubling.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1957 1¢ Pr WDDR-013
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References