1962 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-033

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler team as WDDO-033 for the 1962 Lincoln Memorial Cent, this regular-strike doubled die obverse variety represents one of the many varieties identified during the extensive die study that accompanied the 1962 cent WDDO series renumbering. The discovery of four different doubled working hubs for 1962 cent dies revealed that this date produced an exceptionally rich population of doubled die varieties — a consequence of the Philadelphia Mint's massive production demand exceeding 606 million cents, which required cycling through hundreds of working dies and multiple working hubs throughout the year. Each hub that carried even a slight secondary impression from the hubbing process would propagate that doubling to every die it produced, multiplying the number of distinguishable varieties across the series. WDDO-033 carries the Wexler Variety ID 1962 1c WDDO-033, and while detailed doubling specifics for this entry require direct comparison with the Wexler team's reference photographs, its inclusion in the catalog confirms that the die exhibits hub-transferred or die-level doubling sufficient to warrant independent classification. Collectors working to identify this variety should focus on die markers — the unique scratches, gouges, and progressive features that distinguish one die from another — rather than relying solely on the doubling characteristics, which may closely resemble those of sibling varieties that inherited doubling from the same working hub. The 1962 date holds particular significance as the final year of the original 95% copper, 5% tin-and-zinc alloy composition, after which the alloy was modified beginning in 1963. Examination under 10x to 16x magnification with carefully angled lighting is recommended to resolve the diagnostic features.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1962 1¢ WDDO-033
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References