1968 (S) Lincoln Memorial Cent - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Cataloged as a Wexler doubled die reverse for the 1968-S Lincoln cent, WDDR-002 appears on the regular strike (business strike) version rather than the proof. Obverse die markers include a light die scratch running south-southwest from the bottom left of the R in LIBERTY and parallel die scratches running north to the right of Lincoln's nose. On the reverse, die markers include a short vertical die gouge to the right of the top of the T in UNITED, a rectangular die dent on the left base of the Lincoln Memorial, and a die scratch running northeast from the bottom of the tenth Memorial column. The rectangular die dent on the Memorial base is a particularly distinctive marker — its geometric shape suggests a contact impression from a foreign object rather than a progressive wear feature, making it a reliable identification point that is unlikely to be confused with normal die deterioration. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc at the San Francisco Mint.

Die Markers

• Obverse: A light die scratch runs SSW from the bottom left of the R in LIBERTY. Parallel die scratches run north to the right of the nose. Reverse: A short, vertical die gouge can be found to the right of the top of the T in UNITED. A rectangular die dent can be found on the left base of the Memorial. A die scratch runs NE from the bottom of the 10th Memorial column.

External References