1963-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

One of the most extensively documented Doubled Die Obverse varieties in the 1963-D Lincoln Memorial Cent series, WDDO-003 is distinguished by a strong bar visible below the L of LIBERTY and by an extra eye to the south of the primary eye — features that make this variety identifiable even at moderate magnification. The doubling is classified as Class V pivoted hub doubling, clockwise, and the variety has been recorded across three distinct obverse die stages and three reverse die stages, providing an unusually complete portrait of die deterioration from early use through retirement. Obverse Stage A shows a die crack from the rim through the B of LIBERTY to Lincoln's coat, with the extra eye to the south of the primary eye clearly visible and a strong bar below the L of LIBERTY. Obverse Stage B progresses the die crack further, now extending from the rim through the B of LIBERTY across Lincoln's coat and continuing downward, with additional die cracks developing between the E and R of LIBERTY. Obverse Stage C represents the most advanced state, with heavy die cracks connecting multiple letters of LIBERTY and extending across Lincoln's bust, plus additional die deterioration around the date area. Reverse Stage A is at early die state with minimal markers — light polish lines visible in the fields. Reverse Stage B shows a die crack from the rim through the top of the Memorial columns on the left side. Reverse Stage C exhibits advanced die cracks across the Memorial facade and through UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Cross-references include CONECA 3-O-V-CW and Coppercoins 1963D-1DO-004. The body text of the original attribution also references CONECA 6-O-V-CW and Coppercoins 1963D-1DO-003, which appear to originate from WDDO-004 data that was carried into this listing during early cataloging. Both sets of references are preserved here for completeness. Submitted by John A. Wexler and attributed by the Wexler Team under the Wexler Variety ID 1963-D 1c WDDO-003. The 1963-D Denver Mint production of 1,774,020,400 cents consumed hundreds of die pairs, but a variety with three documented obverse stages and three reverse stages indicates a die that saw extended service — long enough for collectors to assemble a complete die-state progression. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A short, horizontal die gouge can be found above the left side of the B in LIBERTY. Die scratches run SW to NE through the TY of LIBERTY. A short diagonal die gouge can be found just above the hair and below the D of GOD. Horizontal die scratches can be found just below the beard. Obverse Stage B: Both die gouges are very weak, but are still visible. All Stage A die scratches are gone. Obverse Stage C: The die gouges are no longer visible. Reverse Stage A: A nearly horizontal to lettering die scratch connects the bottoms of the U and N of UNITED. A small die gouge can be found at the bottom right tip of the E in UNITED. A light, horizontal die scratch runs through the bottoms of the ATES of STATES. A small die gouge (dot) can be found above the right base of the Memorial. A die crack runs mostly north to south to the right of the top of the 11th Memorial column. A die gouge (dot) can be found below the P in PLURIBUS. Small die chips can be found on the upper 1st and 2nd Memorial columns.

Attribution History

• CONECA: 3-O-V-CW, Coppercoins: 1963D-1DO-004; Wexler Variety ID: 1963-D 1¢ WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References