1964-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

One of the most significant doubled die reverse varieties in the 1964-D Lincoln Memorial Cent series, WDDR-001 is a combined Class II and Class V doubled die that was documented in the 1984 publication "The Lincoln Cent Doubled Die," lending it a pedigree that predates the modern era of internet-based variety attribution. The doubling exhibits a clockwise spread from a pivot point at approximately 6:00, producing the rotational displacement characteristic of Class V, combined with a strong Class II spread toward the center that is most pronounced on ONE CENT and USA. This dual-class mechanism — where the working hub both pivoted and shifted inward relative to the die blank between impressions — created a complex doubling pattern that affects multiple reverse design elements including the designer's initials, the right base of the Lincoln Memorial, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. Cross-referenced as CONECA 12-R-II+V and Coppercoins 1964D-1DR-004 (Wexler Variety ID: 1964-D 1¢ WDDR-001), this variety is known from few reported specimens, and at the time of its cataloging by the Wexler Team, no uncirculated example had been confirmed. The die exists in multiple stages: Stage A exhibits a short, heavy die scratch extending northeast from Lincoln's eyebrow on the obverse, while on the reverse a small die gouge curves toward the Memorial roof below the N of UNUM, a die scratch runs southeast from the lower right N of UNUM to the roof below the M, and a short die scratch runs northwest to southeast to the right of the statue's head. Stage B shows significant die deterioration — the obverse eyebrow scratch is still visible but much weaker, the doubling takes on a "mushy" appearance, and all Stage A reverse markers have been abraded away, replaced by new features including a small die chip at the top of the eleventh Memorial column and a die crack running down the edge of the right cornice and the twelfth column. Additional die state data may be available in the Wexler files. Struck at the Denver Mint during its record 1964 production of 3,799,071,500 cents on a 95% copper and 5% tin-zinc planchet, this variety's rarity and published history make it a priority target for Lincoln cent variety specialists.

Attribution History

• CONECA: 12-R-II+V, Coppercoins: 1964D-1DR-004 Comments: Since appearing in the 1984 book The Lincoln Cent Doubled Die few specimens of this variety have been reported. We have yet to see an uncirculated specimen of; Wexler Variety ID: 1964-D 1¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References