1962 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-058

Description

Submitted by Daniel Griffin and attributed by the Wexler Team, the 1962 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent WDDO-058 belongs to a cluster of anatomically focused doubled die obverse varieties identified by a secondary eyelid visible to the south of Lincoln's normal eyelid. This portrait-level doubling indicates that the hub displacement was oriented in a direction that projected its secondary impression through the finely engraved details of the eye area, where the shallow relief captured the shifted image with enough precision to produce a recognizable doubled feature on the proof surface. The variety carries the Wexler Variety ID 1962 1c Pr WDDO-058, with no additional cross-references currently known. What sets this particular entry apart is its exceptionally extensive set of die markers spanning both sides of the coin. On the obverse, faded diagonal scratches extend northeast from Lincoln's chin, nose, and forehead — a progressive pattern suggesting the die contacted an abrasive surface at a consistent angle — along with a die gouge running southwest from the G in GOD and a diagonal scratch between the G and O in GOD. The reverse presents an equally detailed marker profile: a long scratch runs from the S in STATES into the P and L in PLURIBUS, a distinctive pattern appears above the right side of the Memorial roof, vertical scratches are visible in most Memorial bays, a horizontal scratch passes through the upper O in ONE, and a horizontal scratch sits between the C and E in CENT. This wealth of die-specific features makes WDDO-058 one of the most readily attributable varieties in the 1962 proof DDO catalog. The proof striking process at Philadelphia employed polished dies operating under elevated pressure, with each die serving approximately 3,000 strikes before retirement, constraining the surviving population. An extra eyelid shows to the south of the normal eyelid.Die Markers: Obverse: Faded diagonal die scratches run northeast from Lincoln’s upper chin, nose and forehead. A diagonal die scratch shows between the lower letters of G and O in GOD. Reverse: A long die scratch runs from the S in STATES into the letters P and L in PLURIBUS. A distinctive die scratch pattern shows above the right Memorial roof. Numerous, vertical die scratches show in most of the Memorial bays. A horizontal die scratch runs through the upper O in ONE. A horizontal die scratch runs between the central letters of C and E in CENT.Submitted By: Daniel Griffin Cross References: None known Obverse: None significant.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1962 1¢ Pr WDDO-058
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References