1964 Lincoln Memorial Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-032

Description

Characterized by die scratches running north-northeast under Lincoln's chin, nose, and behind his head on the obverse, the 1964 WDDO-032 provides collectors with a useful set of die markers for attribution. These obverse die scratches represent tooling marks from die preparation — remnants of polishing or finishing operations at the Philadelphia Mint that left linear impressions in the die steel, transferred as fine raised lines on every coin struck from this die. No significant reverse die markers have been noted, which means the obverse scratches serve as the primary diagnostic features beyond the doubling pattern itself. The combination of a doubled die obverse with identifiable die markers makes attribution more straightforward than on varieties lacking such diagnostics, as collectors can confirm both the doubling pattern and the die marker signature independently. Each die carried its own unique combination of hubbing characteristics and surface marks, making the die marker signature an integral part of variety identification. Collectors should examine the chin and nose area under magnification, looking for the north-northeast trending scratches as a first confirmation step before analyzing the doubling spread on LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date. Struck on a 95% copper, 5% zinc planchet weighing 3.11 grams at 19.05 mm diameter.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die scratches run NNE under Lincoln’s chin, nose, and behind his head. Reverse: None noted.

External References