1966 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Cataloged as the second Wexler doubled die obverse for the 1966 Lincoln cent, WDDO-002 exhibits a counterclockwise spread visible on the top right of the second T in TRUST. A CCW spread indicates that the hub rotated slightly in a counterclockwise direction between successive impressions during die manufacture, displacing the secondary image in the opposite direction from the more common clockwise spreads. The location of the doubling on the second T of TRUST places it within the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, which runs along the upper obverse rim and is one of the primary diagnostic areas for doubled die detection on Lincoln cents. On the obverse, a nearly horizontal die scratch can be found just above the chin, providing an attribution marker independent of the doubling pattern. The reverse carries a small die gouge to the left of the T in CENT — a useful secondary confirmation point that can serve as an efficient screening tool when examining large quantities of 1966 cents. Die gouges appear as raised dots or short marks on the struck coin, corresponding to depressions gouged into the die steel during handling or preparation. The 1966 cent was produced at the Philadelphia Mint without mint marks, continuing the Coinage Act of 1965 mandate that removed mint marks from all U.S. coins for three years. The year's business strike output of 2,188,147,783 cents represents a significant increase over the 1965 output of nearly 1.5 billion, reflecting the Mint's sustained effort to overcome the national coin shortage. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1966 1¢ WDDO-002. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Keith Christenson Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1966 1¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References