1970-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-008

Description

Perhaps the most immediately recognizable diagnostic among the 1970-D doubled die obverses, WDDO-008 displays an extra horizontal bar above the 7 in the date — the hallmark feature that makes the 1970-D cent one of the most collected doubled die dates in the Lincoln Memorial series. This additional bar represents the horizontal crossbar of the 7 from a secondary hub impression displaced slightly upward from the primary, creating a ghost image that is often visible to the unaided eye on well-preserved specimens. No cross-references to other attribution services have been established, making Wexler's documentation the sole published catalog source. Four die states span the obverse and reverse. On the obverse, Stage 1 presents die gouges scattered around the letters of LIBERTY, establishing the die's initial fingerprint. Stage 2 introduces a die crack threading through Lincoln's hair — a progressive fatigue marker — followed by abrading that modifies the gouges from Stage 1. Additional die scratches emanating from the vest area and through the letters of LIBERTY appear in the abraded state. The reverse follows a complementary trajectory: Stage 1 shows a gouge at the top right of the first S in STATES and pitting to the right of the T in CENT. Stage 2 reveals die clash remnants preserved despite subsequent die maintenance, accompanied by fresh scratches. That the extra bar above the 7 survived through all documented stages confirms the doubling was deeply impressed and could not be polished away during die reconditioning — a characteristic of strong hub doubling where the secondary impression penetrated well below the die surface. Two short, strong die gouges can be found north of the E in LIBERTY. A die scratch runs north from the top of the head to the rim to the right of the E in WE. Die clash remnants run NW from the top of the left cornice, NE from the top of the Memorial below the US in PLURIBUS, and south from the bottom of the Memorial below the left post.

Attribution History

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-D 1¢ WDDO-008
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References