1961 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent - Proof Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-022

Description

Narrowly focused on a single inscription, the 1961 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent WDDR-022 presents a very close spread directed towards the center on ONE CENT alone. This concentration of Class II centripetal displacement on the denomination while leaving the surrounding inscriptions and architectural details unaffected suggests that the hub distortion event during die manufacture was localized to the central lower portion of the die face. The very close classification indicates that the secondary image sits in tight proximity to the primary letters, requiring magnification of at least 8x to 10x and deliberate lighting adjustments to resolve the displacement on Proof specimens whose mirrored fields can otherwise mask such subtle shifts. No significant obverse die markers have been noted, but the reverse offers a useful screening point: a light north-south die scratch located to the left of the first A in AMERICA. Because this scratch is situated at some distance from the ONE CENT doubling zone, it provides a reliable die-identification marker that collectors can verify before undertaking the more demanding task of confirming the very close centripetal spread on the denomination.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None significant. Reverse: A light N/S die scratch can be found to the left of the first A in AMERICA.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1961 1¢ Pr WDDR-022

External References