1962 Proof Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-021

Description

Requiring particularly careful examination technique due to its extremely close spread, the 1962 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent WDDO-021 exhibits a very close spread directed toward the rim on the date — a displacement so slight that the secondary impression sits barely separated from the primary device, manifesting as a thin shadow or marginal thickening rather than a clearly defined doubled outline. The "very close" intensity classification places this among the most subtle proof doubled die obverse varieties in the 1962 catalog, demanding magnification of 16x or greater and precisely angled diffused lighting that minimizes the reflective glare inherent to proof surfaces while still illuminating the narrow gap between primary and secondary images. The proof production process at the Philadelphia Mint created coins with mirror-like fields and elevated striking pressure, conditions that paradoxically both help and hinder the detection of close spreads: the sharper impression preserves fine detail, but the highly reflective surface can introduce optical effects that mimic or mask genuine doubling. No significant obverse die markers have been documented for this variety. Importantly, the reverse is listed as a doubled die in the Wexler Doubled Die Files, though the specific WDDR number is not available in the current records. This means the die pair combines a subtle obverse variety with a documented reverse variety — an unusual pairing that increases the numismatic interest despite the difficulty of confirming the obverse attribution. Collectors should examine the reverse for any signs of hub displacement as an additional confirmation pathway. Each proof die served approximately 3,000 strikes, and this variety was produced as part of the 1962 proof mintage of 3,218,019 sets, the last proof Lincoln cent issue in the original 95% copper alloy composition.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None significant. Reverse: The reverse is a doubled die listed in the Wexler Doubled Die Files as

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References