1958 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-007

Description

Seventh doubled die reverse documented for the 1958 Lincoln Wheat Cent, this variety was attributed by the Wexler Team with the designation 1958 1c WDDR-007. Seven DDRs cataloged for the terminal year of the wheat ears reverse demonstrates the extraordinary collector and researcher interest in final-year issues. The 1958 Philadelphia Mint cent closed out nearly half a century of Victor David Brenner's original reverse design — the two curved wheat stalks, denomination, and national inscriptions that had appeared on every Lincoln Cent from 1909 through 1958. Beginning in 1959, Frank Gasparro's Memorial reverse would replace the wheat motif. Doubled die reverses result from misaligned hub impressions during die manufacture, where the master hub is pressed into the working die blank multiple times to fully develop the intaglio design, and any shift between impressions leaves overlapping design features. The wheat ears design was particularly diagnostic for doubling because its fine organic lines, thin stems, and carefully kerned lettering provided numerous reference points where even small displacements could be detected. Terminal-year varieties carry added numismatic cachet, as collectors value the historical finality of the last coins struck with a design that had served American commerce for five decades.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1958 1¢ WDDR-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References