1961 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-015

Description

Listed in the Wexler reference system as 1961 1¢ Pr WDDR-015, this Proof doubled die reverse from the 1961 Lincoln Memorial Cent carries a close spread directed towards the center on ONE CENT, the designer's initials FG, and AMERICA. The centripetal Class II displacement across these three design elements follows a pattern seen on several other 1961 DDR varieties, but each instance represents a distinct die with its own unique hubbing misregistration characteristics. Neither the obverse nor the reverse presents significant die markers for this variety, which means that attribution must rely entirely on careful analysis of the doubling pattern's specific character — the exact width of the spread, the relative intensity on each affected inscription, and the precise direction of displacement at different points across the die face. This dependence on doubling-pattern analysis alone makes WDDR-015 one of the more attribution-challenging entries in the seventeen-member 1961 Proof DDR family, as the absence of confirming die gouges, scratches, or other independent diagnostics leaves less margin for error in identification. No cross-references to other attribution organizations are known. Proof surfaces assist somewhat in the attribution process, since the mirrored fields and sharp letter edges characteristic of Proof coinage allow even close spreads to be detected under proper lighting and magnification conditions that might render them invisible on business strikes.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1961 1¢ Pr WDDR-015
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References