1964 Lincoln Memorial Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

A doubled die obverse occurs when the obverse working hub is impressed into a die blank more than once during the die manufacturing process, with a slight positional shift between impressions that embeds a secondary design image in the die steel. Every coin subsequently struck from that die carries the doubling, making it a true die variety rather than a strike anomaly. The 1964 Philadelphia Mint cent is particularly significant in numismatic history because it shares the year with the famous 1964-D cent varieties, yet P-mint doubled dies from this date have received comparatively less attention from collectors. No independent cross-references from CONECA, Coppercoins, or other attribution services are currently listed for WDDO-001, and no specific die markers have been cataloged. Philadelphia Mint cents of 1964 bear no mint mark, as was standard practice for the Philadelphia facility during this era. The 1964 date holds additional significance as the last year mint marks appeared on any Lincoln cent before the 1965-67 suspension, enacted to discourage the speculative hoarding that had contributed to the nationwide coin shortage. Struck on a 95% copper and 5% zinc planchet weighing 3.11 grams at 19.05 mm diameter.

External References