1966 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007

Description

Discovered in a 1966 Special Mint Set and submitted by Daniel Griffin, WDDO-007 is the first of two SMS doubled die obverse varieties documented for the 1966 Lincoln cent. Special Mint Sets were produced at the Philadelphia Mint from 1965 through 1967 as a collector substitute for the traditional proof sets suspended under the Coinage Act of 1965. SMS coins were struck with higher pressure than business strikes, producing surfaces with enhanced detail and a distinctive semi-proof finish, but they carry no mint mark despite their San Francisco origin — consistent with the three-year mint mark removal mandate. The 1966 SMS mintage of 2,261,583 sets represents a tiny fraction of the year's total cent output compared to 2,188,147,783 business strikes, making any confirmed SMS variety significantly scarcer than its business strike counterparts. A close spread shows to the left of the second T in TRUST on the obverse. This variety carries extensive die markers across both surfaces with two documented die stages, providing collectors with numerous attribution checkpoints. The presence of multiple die stages on an SMS coin is notable because it demonstrates that this die was used for a meaningful number of impressions, and the progression of markers between stages documents the die's evolution during its service life. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1966 1¢ WDDO-007 with the comment noting this variety is from a 1966 SMS set. The SMS striking process used higher pressures than business strikes, which can make die markers and doubled die features present with greater sharpness and clarity on the finished coin, aiding in attribution. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc. Die Markers: Obverse: Two die gouges (dots) show below the first 6 and a die gouge (dot) shows inside the curve of the second 6 in the date. A die gouge (dot) shows above the E in LIBERTY. A die gouge (dot) shows to the left of the upper I in IN. Die gouges show south and southeast of the N in IN. A die gouge shows to the south of Lincoln’s eyelid. Reverse: A die gouge (dot) shows between the letters S and T in STATES. Diagonal die scratches show above OF. A die gouge and a short, connected die scratch show to the left of the left Memorial cornice. Light horizontal die scratches show in Memorial bays 1 and 2. Light almost horizontal die scratches show in upper Memorial bays 10 and 11. A die gouge shows on the right edge of the left vertical crossbar of the N in ONE. Obverse: A die scratch shows near the rim under the right lower bust. A die scratch shows southeast of the second 6 in the date. Reverse: A die gouge is present northeast of FG. Several horizontal die scratches are present in between the lower right memorial columns.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Daniel Griffin Cross References: None known Comments: This variety is from a 1966 SMS set.
• None known Comments: This variety is from a 1966 SMS set.; Wexler Variety ID: 1966 1¢ WDDO-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References