1966 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Cataloged as the fifth Wexler doubled die obverse for the 1966 Lincoln cent, WDDO-005 displays a very close clockwise spread on the top left of the second T in TRUST — a doubling location and direction shared with WDDO-004, though the two varieties are from entirely different dies and are distinguished by their unique die markers. On the obverse, a small die gouge appearing as a dot can be found just to the right of the center of the nose, which is distinct from WDDO-004's obverse marker (a dot WNW of the one in the date) and provides the primary means of differentiating the two similarly-doubled varieties. The reverse carries two diagnostic features: a die scratch running WSW from the bottom left of the N in UNITED, and parallel die scratches running NNE from the top of the N in CENT. These reverse markers differ entirely from WDDO-004's reverse (which shows a die scratch from the left cornice to the T of UNITED), confirming that despite the similar doubling characteristics, these are products of separate dies with separate manufacturing histories. The fact that two different dies produced very close CW spreads on the same letter suggests that the hubbing conditions at the Philadelphia Mint in 1966 — including hub alignment, pressure, and the sequence of impressions — created a recurring tendency toward this specific type of misalignment. The 1966 cent was produced without mint marks under the Coinage Act of 1965, with a total business strike mintage of 2,188,147,783 pieces. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1966 1¢ WDDO-005. 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-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References