1959 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

The first year of the Lincoln Memorial reverse makes 1959 proof varieties especially significant to Lincoln Cent collectors, and WDDR-003 displays a close spread toward the center on STATES OF AMERICA and the designer's initials FG — Frank Gasparro's mark on the new reverse design. Attributed by the Wexler Team with variety ID 1959 1¢ Pr WDDR-003, the reverse carries a diagnostic small die gouge appearing as a dot above the right side of the second U in PLURIBUS, while no significant obverse markers have been noted. As a proof striking, this variety benefits from the sharper definition and mirror-like fields that can make even close spreads more discernible than on business strikes. The 1959 Lincoln Memorial Cent inaugurated a reverse design that would endure until 2008, and doubled die varieties from this transitional first year document the earliest die production for Gasparro's architectural design depicting the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None significant. Reverse: A small die gouge (dot) can be found above the right side of the second U in PLURIBUS.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1959 1¢ Pr WDDR-003

External References