1961 Proof Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-015
Error
Description
Bearing a close spread towards the center on ONE CENT, the designer's initials FG, and AMERICA, the 1961 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent WDDR-015 shares a centripetal Class II doubling pattern with several other varieties in the 1961 Proof DDR series — but each such variety represents a distinct die with its own unique hubbing history and displacement characteristics. The challenge for collectors is that multiple DDR varieties may exhibit what appears to be a similar general description — centripetal spread on overlapping sets of design elements — yet differ in the precise width of spread, the relative intensity on each affected inscription, and the exact direction of displacement at specific measurement points across the die face. For WDDR-015, this challenge is compounded by the absence of significant die markers on both the obverse and reverse, leaving the doubling pattern itself as the sole identification criterion. Without supplementary diagnostics like die gouges or scratches to provide independent confirmation, attribution must rely entirely on careful comparative analysis against confirmed photographic references, ideally using calibrated magnification of 7x to 10x. The Proof format offers some advantage, as the deeply mirrored fields and the precisely defined letter edges produced by the Proof striking process allow close spreads to be detected under proper lighting conditions. Collectors pursuing WDDR-015 should be prepared to invest considerable time in side-by-side comparison with documented specimens to establish a confident attribution.
Die Markers
- Obverse: None significant. Reverse: None significant.
Attribution History
- Discovered by Wexler Team