1965 Lincoln Memorial Cent - SMS - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

WDDO-004 is a doubled die obverse on the 1965 SMS Lincoln Memorial cent. Special Mint Sets were introduced in 1965 as a replacement for the traditional proof sets that Congress suspended under the Coinage Act of 1965 to address the national coin shortage. SMS coins were made by the San Francisco Assay Office but carry no mint mark — consistent with the 1965—1967 mint mark removal mandate — and were struck with higher pressure than business strikes, yielding surfaces with better detail and a semi-proof finish that falls between the quality of standard business strikes and traditional proofs. This variety exhibits Class V+VIII combined doubling — the same dual-class designation as WDDO-002 — indicating that both pivoted hub doubling and tilted hub doubling occurred simultaneously during the die manufacturing process. The combined pivot-and-tilt pattern creates a complex spread that varies in both direction and magnitude across the design elements. Cross-referenced as CONECA 3-O-V+VIII and Wexler Variety ID: 1965 1¢ WDDO-004, with the notation confirming discovery in a 1965 Special Mint Set. Attributed by the Wexler Team. Collectors should note that SMS surfaces can make subtle doubling both easier and harder to detect — the higher-quality strike produces sharper device edges that can reveal fine spreads, but the reflective surfaces can also mask them depending on lighting angle. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

Cross References

• CONECA: 3-O-V+VIII Comments: This variety was found in a 1965 Special Mint Set.; Wexler Variety ID: 1965 1¢ WDDO-004

External References