1962 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-021

Description

Assigned a high sequence number within the 1962 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent doubled die obverse catalog, DDO-021 documents a light spread on the date that was produced when the working hub impressed the die with a slight positional offset between successive hubbing operations. The elevated catalog number — UVC-2047 and DMR-045 — places this variety deep into the documented population, reflecting the sheer volume of proof dies prepared for the 1962 proof set program and the correspondingly numerous opportunities for minor hub misalignments to occur across that die population. Light date spreads are the most frequently cataloged form of proof doubled die because the date numerals, being relatively fine and precisely defined, register even small displacements as visible secondary outlines, whereas broader design elements like the bust or field can absorb the same magnitude of shift without producing an obvious doubled image. As a proof striking, DDO-021 was produced on a polished planchet using polished dies and struck at least twice at higher-than-normal pressure, yielding the characteristic mirror fields and frosted devices that define the proof finish. Collectors should note that despite sharing a "light spread on date" description with several other 1962 Proof DDO varieties, each entry originates from a different working die with its own unique combination of die markers, manufacturing sequence, and subtle variations in the exact position and character of the spread — making confirmed reference photographs essential for accurate attribution.

Die Markers

• UVC-2047; DMR-045

External References