1970-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-014

Description

Requiring separate photographic documentation to adequately capture its diagnostic features, WDDO-014 on the 1970-D Lincoln Memorial cent exhibits the unusual characteristic of doubling both above and below the horizontal bar of the 7 in the date. While many 1970-D DDOs show extra material above the crossbar — where a displaced secondary hub impression adds a ghost bar — WDDO-014's bidirectional effect suggests either a more complex hub shift or a combination of vertical and rotational misalignment that left traces on both sides of this key diagnostic feature. The need for separate close-up photographs of the date underscores how localized this variety's strongest doubling is: concentrated at the 7's crossbar rather than spread broadly across LIBERTY or IN GOD WE TRUST. Die markers anchor the attribution on both surfaces. The obverse carries a die gouge extending from the rim above the R in TRUST, along with scratches running north-south between Lincoln's vest and the date. The reverse shows abraded die clash marks — residual design transfer from an obverse-to-reverse clash event that subsequent die polishing softened but did not fully erase — plus a gouge positioned above the right side of the Memorial base and a scratch cutting through the upper left dot in E PLURIBUS UNUM. These markers, combined with the distinctive bidirectional date doubling, provide multiple confirmation points for attribution even on moderately circulated specimens where the doubling itself may be partially worn. Several die scratches run from north to south between the vest and the date. Numerous die scratches run from west to east throughout the obverse. A die scratch runs from SSW to NNE through the upper left dot in EPU. Numerous other die scratches run throughout the reverse.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Gene Nichols Cross References: None known Comments: It took separate photos of the date to adequately show doubling both above and below the horizontal bar of the 7.
• None known Comments: It took separate photos of the date to adequately show doubling both above and below the horizontal bar of the 7.; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-D 1¢ WDDO-014
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References