1960 Proof Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-021

Description

Cataloged under the same Wexler designation as the proof entry in the WDDR-021 series, this listing on the 1960 Lincoln Memorial Cent Proof Small Date documents an extremely close spread towards the center on the letters of USA. The centerward displacement on the country abbreviation is subtle — demanding at least 16x magnification and deliberate lighting to resolve — and the narrow scope of involvement, limited to three letters, places this among the more challenging DDR varieties to confirm in the 1960 proof cent catalog. The obverse confirms a Small Date hub. A light die scratch runs south-southwest from the bottom of the Y in LIBERTY, offering a convenient obverse diagnostic that can be checked before undertaking the more demanding reverse examination. On the reverse, a small die gouge can be found on the upper right of the O in ONE, providing a precise marker adjacent to the denomination text. The proof format — polished dies striking specially prepared planchets — limits the population to approximately 3,000 specimens per die, and the mirror-like fields characteristic of proof coinage can actually assist detection by providing high contrast against the edges of the displaced USA letters. No other cross-references have been assigned beyond the Wexler listing as 1960 1¢ Pr WDDR-021.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Small Date. A light die scratch runs SSW from the bottom of the Y in LIBERTY. Reverse: A small die gouge can be found on the upper right of the O in ONE.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References