1966 Lincoln Memorial Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

The 1966 date continued the mint mark removal policy begun in 1965, meaning all business strike cents from both Philadelphia and any other facility that may have been producing cents carry no distinguishing mint mark. No significant die markers have been documented for this variety on either the obverse or reverse, which means attribution depends entirely on matching the specific doubled die pattern against published Wexler reference photographs. Collectors should photograph their candidate coins at high magnification from multiple angles and compare the direction, class, and magnitude of the spread systematically against reference images. The 1966 cent composition — 95% copper and 5% zinc, with tin eliminated in 1962 — provided a consistent striking medium across the enormous production run. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1966 1¢ WDDO-003 and attributed by the Wexler Team. Hub doubling on business strike dies results from misalignment between successive hub impressions during die manufacture, and the thousands of dies consumed annually ensured a statistical population of doubled die varieties. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1966 1¢ WDDO-003

External References