1962 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-056

Description

Cataloged under the Wexler Variety ID 1962 1c Pr WDDO-056, this proof-strike doubled die obverse variety for the 1962 Lincoln Memorial Cent demonstrates how the controlled environment of the Philadelphia Mint's proof production facility could preserve subtle doubling features with remarkable fidelity. The variety shows extra thickness on the date, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST, with some separation visible on the lower portion of the 9 in the date — a diagnostic detail where the secondary impression pulls away from the primary device just enough to create a discernible gap rather than mere thickening. This separation on the 9 is the key attribution point, distinguishing WDDO-056 from other proof WDDO entries that also display generalized extra thickness across the same inscription zones. The proof striking process at Philadelphia employed specially polished dies operating under elevated pressure, impressing each planchet multiple times to achieve the mirror-like fields and frosted design elements that characterize proof coinage. Each proof die typically served for approximately 3,000 strikes before being retired, meaning the potential surviving population of any single proof die variety is inherently constrained compared to business-strike counterparts that might produce hundreds of thousands of impressions. On the reverse, a small die gouge appears just right of the upper T in UNITED, providing a supplementary marker for die identification. No other cross-references are currently known. This variety was struck as part of the 1962 proof production of 3,218,019 sets, the final proof issue in the original 95% copper alloy composition that had served the Lincoln cent since 1909.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1962 1¢ Pr WDDO-056
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References