1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-016

Description

One of the more extensively documented proof doubled die obverse varieties for 1963, the Lincoln Memorial Cent WDDO-016 exhibits a weak first hubbing rotated in a counterclockwise direction, with the resulting spread visible on the 3 of the date, both T's in IN GOD WE TRUST, the lower W in WE, and IN. The L in LIBERTY is tripled, as is Lincoln's eyelid, indicating that this die received at least three distinguishable hub impressions with measurable misalignment between them. Tripled elements are diagnostically significant because they confirm multiple separate instances of hub displacement rather than a single offset impression, pointing to a die that required repeated hubbing attempts to achieve the full design transfer. Die markers on the obverse include a short diagonal die scratch at the top of the forehead just under the hairline, a short vertical die gouge to the right of the upper S in IN GOD WE TRUST, and a short vertical die gouge to the right of the second T in IN GOD WE TRUST. On the reverse, a strong die gouge is present to the right of the upper F in OF. This variety is cross-referenced as CONECA PR-7-O-I-CCW+VIII and Coppercoins 1963P-1DO-011P, and it is cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1963 1c Pr WDDO-016. Produced from specially prepared proof dies at the Philadelphia Mint, where striking pressure exceeded that of business-strike operations and die life was limited to roughly 3,000 impressions, this variety emerged from the 1963 proof mintage of 3,075,645 coins. The 95% copper and 5% zinc planchet received the full proof treatment, yielding mirror-like fields against which the tripled design elements are often more readily visible than on satin-finished business strikes.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ken Chylinski Cross References: CONECA: PR-7-O-I-CCW+VIII, Coppercoins: 1963P-1DO-011P
• CONECA: PR-7-O-I-CCW+VIII, Coppercoins: 1963P-1DO-011P; Wexler Variety ID: 1963 1¢ Pr WDDO-016
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References