1962 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-051

Description

Holding a unique distinction in the 1962 Lincoln Memorial Cent variety catalog, WDDO-051 is notable not only for its obverse doubling — which manifests as a counterclockwise spread producing a doubled L in LIBERTY — but also because the reverse of this same die pair is itself a significant doubled die, independently cataloged as WDDR-021. The combination of a doubled die obverse and a doubled die reverse on the same coin is uncommon in any series and especially notable when both sides carry attributable, catalog-worthy doubling rather than merely incidental or trivial spread. This dual-sided doubled die status makes WDDO-051 one of the most numismatically significant entries in the entire 1962 WDDO series, offering collectors a two-for-one variety specimen. The obverse doubling shows as a counterclockwise spread on the L in LIBERTY, and the Wexler Variety ID is 1962 1c WDDO-051. Obverse die markers include parallel horizontal scratches running through the 19 in the date and a die scratch extending east-northeast from the top of the T in LIBERTY. On the reverse, a die gouge sits below the right end of the center horizontal bar of the E in CENT, die clash marks are visible in the third Memorial bay — indicating unplanned die-to-die contact during production — and numerous north-south scratches appear above the right side of the Memorial roof. These reverse markers help confirm the die pair identity and also establish whether the reverse doubling of WDDR-021 is present on the same specimen. This variety was struck at the Philadelphia Mint as a regular business-strike issue during 1962, the final year of the original 95% copper alloy, and collectors should examine both sides of the coin thoroughly to fully appreciate and document its dual doubled die character.

Attribution History

• s:; Wexler Variety ID: 1962 1¢ WDDO-051
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References