1970-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-025

Description

Standing apart from the standard doubled die obverses in the 1970-D roster, WDDO-025 presents the intriguing possibility of tripling above the 7 in the date — suggesting that this working die may have received three separate hub impressions rather than the typical two, with each impression slightly displaced from the others. True tripled dies are considerably rarer than doubled dies because they require three distinct hubbing events with at least two of them misaligned, compounding the probability of an error that is already uncommon in a single instance. If confirmed, the tripling would make WDDO-025 a particularly significant variety within the 1970-D census. No cross-references to other attribution services have been documented, with Wexler's research providing the sole published analysis. Die markers distributed across both surfaces establish the variety's identity. On the obverse, die scratches run west-to-east above the date and continue above the ERTY portion of LIBERTY, while additional scratches emanate from the tip of Lincoln's nose — a cluster of directional markers that suggest either mechanical contact or die polish lines applied with a consistent orientation. The reverse carries a gouge to the right of the E in ONE and scratches threading through the Memorial bays. The "possible tripling" qualification in Wexler's documentation reflects the difficulty of definitively distinguishing three closely spaced hub impressions from two impressions accompanied by die flow or shelf doubling, which can mimic the appearance of a third image. Confirmation typically requires high-magnification comparison of the design element profiles at multiple points across the die surface. Reverse: A small die gouge can be found to the right of the upper E in ONE.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-D 1¢ WDDO-025
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References