1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Distinguished by its multi-element doubling profile, the 1963 Lincoln Memorial Cent WDDO-005 exhibits a counterclockwise spread that manifests as an extra eyelid below the normal eyelid, doubling at the top of the L in LIBERTY, and doubling to the top right of the second T in IN GOD WE TRUST. The extra eyelid is one of the most visually distinctive forms of DDO expression on Lincoln cents because the fine engraved lines of the portrait magnify even slight displacement into a clearly recognizable secondary contour, and its presence alongside legend doubling confirms that the hub misalignment affected a broad arc of the die face. The obverse die markers for WDDO-005 are extensive and provide a reliable attribution framework: a die gouge runs west-southwest from the rim to the right of the second T in IN GOD WE TRUST, a die scratch runs from the top of the chin to the upper lip, and numerous other die scratches can be found throughout the obverse. On the reverse, a small die gouge can be found above the right base of the Memorial, and a small die gouge can be found inside the upper N in CENT. This network of die surface features across both sides of the coin gives collectors multiple independent confirmation points when attributing specimens. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint as part of the 754,110,000 business-strike production for 1963, this variety entered general circulation on the standard 95% copper and 5% zinc planchet. The combination of portrait doubling and legend doubling across three distinct zones of the obverse makes WDDO-005 one of the more collectible DDO varieties for the 1963 P-mint cent, and its rich die marker constellation aids attribution even on moderately circulated examples.

Die Markers

• Obverse: A die gouge runs WSW from the rim to the right of the second T in TRUST. A die scratch runs from the top of the chin to the upper lip. Numerous other die scratches can be found throughout the obverse. Reverse: A small die gouge can be found above the right base of the Memorial. A small die gouge can be found inside the upper N in CENT.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References