1960 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-008

Description

A particularly noteworthy proof-only doubled die, WDDO-008 on the 1960 Lincoln Memorial Cent Proof Small Date exhibits a strong Class II spread towards the center on the letters of IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, slightly on the letters of LIBERTY, and the hair at the top of the head. Class II doubling results from a rotational misalignment between hub impressions, and on this variety the spread is pronounced enough to be visible under moderate magnification. The obverse die has been documented in two stages. Stage A carries a strong vertical indentation running through the nose and lower nostril as its primary diagnostic. Stage B retains the same obverse markers as Stage A. The reverse pairing makes this variety especially significant: the Stage A reverse is itself a doubled die, listed independently as WDDR-010 and also as CONECA 8-R-II, showing a Class II spread towards the center on USA, ONE CENT, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the left side of the Memorial building, along with a Class I counterclockwise spread on all design elements around the rim. By Stage B, a new reverse die was paired with the obverse doubled die, and this replacement reverse does not carry any doubling. Cross-referenced as CONECA 5-O-II+V, Crawford CDDO-004, and Coppercoins 1960P-1DO-009, this variety is cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1960 1¢ Pr WDDO-008. The combination of obverse and reverse doubled dies on a proof coin struck with limited die life makes matched Stage A specimens — showing doubling on both sides — among the most desirable 1960 cent varieties.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Mike Ellis Cross References: CONECA: 5-O-II+V, Crawford: CDDO-004, Coppercoins: 1960P-1DO-009
• CONECA: 5-O-II+V, Crawford: CDDO-004, Coppercoins: 1960P-1DO-009; Wexler Variety ID: 1960 1¢ Pr WDDO-008
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References