1965 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Distinguished by a partial vertical bar of the L visible below the L in LIBERTY, the 1965 WDDO-003 is the third cataloged Wexler doubled die obverse for this date and carries one of the more visually distinctive diagnostic features among the 1965 doubled die varieties. The partial bar below the L represents residual design from a secondary hub impression that was offset from the primary, leaving a trace of the letter's vertical stroke displaced downward. This visible remnant serves as a quick screening indicator for collectors sorting through 1965 cents — the bar below the L can often be spotted under moderate magnification before the full doubling pattern is examined in detail. The obverse carries additional die markers: a short die scratch running NNE from the bottom right of the R in LIBERTY and parallel die scratches running from north to south below the chin. On the reverse, a short die scratch runs SSW from the bottom of the Memorial above the O in ONE, and a strong die gouge can be found to the right of the T in CENT. The strong reverse die gouge near CENT is particularly useful as a secondary attribution aid, as die gouges are deep enough to remain visible even on moderately circulated specimens. The 1965 Lincoln cent was struck without mint marks under the Coinage Act of 1965, which removed all mint marks from U.S. coinage for three years to discourage hoarding during the national coin shortage. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1965 1¢ WDDO-003 and attributed by the Wexler Team. Struck from the 1,497,224,900 business strike cents produced in 1965 on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Edward Fletcher Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1965 1¢ WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References