1963 Proof Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-029

Description

Approaching the thirtieth proof-specific DDO entry for the 1963 Lincoln Memorial Cent, WDDO-029 belongs to a catalog section where the volume of documented varieties begins to convey the true scope of hubbing variation that occurred in the Philadelphia Mint's proof die shop during this high-output year. The proof die manufacturing process was identical to the business-strike process in its fundamental mechanics — a hardened working hub pressed repeatedly into an annealed die blank — but the subsequent finishing steps set proof dies apart. Chrome plating, device frosting through selective sandblasting, and mirror polishing transformed each die into a precision striking instrument capable of producing coins with surfaces far superior to their circulation counterparts. None of these finishing operations altered the design geometry, however, so any hubbing anomaly survived intact into service. WDDO-029 carries such an anomaly: a doubled obverse image embedded during the hubbing stage and transmitted to every proof cent the die struck during its service life of roughly 3,000 impressions. The 3,075,645 proof Lincoln cents produced in 1963 consumed numerous die pairs over the production year, and this variety emerged from one pair within that population. Collectors working through original 1963 proof sets should use at least 10x magnification with low-angle lighting to detect secondary hub images. The coin was struck on a 95% copper and 5% zinc planchet and bears Brenner's obverse portrait with Gasparro's Memorial reverse.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References