1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-065

Description

Collectors who specialize in proof Lincoln cent varieties recognize the 1963 date as one of the richest in the series for doubled die obverse discoveries, and WDDO-065 adds depth to that reputation. The Philadelphia Mint's proof operation in 1963 produced coins of exceptional surface quality — mirror fields that reflect like polished glass, devices with sharp frosted detail, and edges so crisply defined that they reveal die characteristics invisible on circulation strikes. This elevated surface fidelity makes proof coins a natural hunting ground for variety collectors, because the same mirror finish that appeals to type collectors also magnifies subtle secondary hub images that constitute genuine doubled die varieties. WDDO-065 was created when the working hub used to impart the obverse design into a proof die blank was not precisely re-seated between the multiple impressions required to achieve full design depth, leaving a permanent doubled image in the die steel. The 3,075,645 proof cents struck in 1963 were produced using die pairs retired after approximately 3,000 impressions, so each DDO variety exists on a limited pool of coins. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1963 1c Pr WDDO-065, this variety was attributed by the Wexler Team and is part of the Wexler Doubled Die Files. The coin carries Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait and Frank Gasparro's Memorial reverse on a 95% copper and 5% zinc planchet. Authentication requires careful die marker comparison under magnification to distinguish this variety from adjacent catalog entries.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1963 1¢ Pr WDDO-065
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References