1968-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007

Description

Designated WDDO-007 by the Wexler Team, this doubled die obverse variety appears on the 1968-S proof Lincoln Memorial cent, making it the third proof DDO cataloged for the date alongside WDDO-005 and the Cherrypickers-listed WDDO-006. The existence of three distinct doubled die obverse proof varieties for a single date reflects the large number of proof dies manufactured for the 1968-S proof set — the first standard proof issue since 1964 — and the inherent susceptibility of the multi-impression hubbing process to produce alignment variations across the die population. Each proof working die was manufactured through the same hubbing process used for business strike dies, and the same types of misalignment that produce doubled dies on business strikes can occur on proof dies. However, proof doubled dies are disproportionately well-documented relative to their business strike counterparts because proof coins are saved by collectors at far higher rates than circulation issues, and the preserved surface quality of proofs makes even subtle doubling more readily detectable than on worn circulation coins. No additional cross-references beyond the Wexler designation are known for WDDO-007 at this time. Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID: 1968-S 1¢ Pr WDDO-007. Attributed by the Wexler Team. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm proof planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc at the San Francisco Mint.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Rich Golden Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1968-S 1¢ Pr WDDO-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References