1964-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-018

Description

With a very close spread visible on UNITED, the lower left Memorial, ONE CENT, and the designer's initials FG, the 1964-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-018 exhibits doubling that spans both the inscription and architectural elements of the reverse design. The "very close" characterization indicates that the secondary hub image sits in tight proximity to the primary design, requiring careful examination under magnification with directional lighting to distinguish the genuine doubling from the primary strike. The die markers recorded for this variety include an obverse feature — die scratches running from the upper G in GOD to the rim — and reverse markers consisting of a die scratch extending east from the middle of the first T in STATES, a light die scratch running west from the top of the left Memorial, and a die scratch running northeast from inside the lower N in ONE. The directional orientation of these markers — the obverse scratch running toward the rim, the reverse scratches radiating outward from various design elements — suggests that the die surface accumulated these features through the cumulative effects of die contact, polishing operations, and the mechanical stresses of high-speed production at the Denver Mint. This variety was produced during the mint's record 1964 output of 3,799,071,500 Lincoln cents, the peak of the emergency coinage program designed to alleviate the nationwide coin shortage that had prompted Congress to mandate the removal of mint marks beginning in 1965. The 1964-D cent was thus the last Denver Mint cent to bear the "D" mint mark until 1968. Struck on a 95% copper and 5% tin-zinc planchet weighing 3.11 grams at 19mm diameter.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die scratches run from upper G in GOD to the rim. Reverse: Die scratch east from middle of first T in STATES. Light die scratch west from the top left memorial. Die scratch NE from inside lower N in ONE.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References