1970-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-032

Description

Submitted by Keith Christenson and cross-referenced with WDDO-033, WDDO-032 on the 1970-D Lincoln Memorial cent presents very weak doubling above the 7 in the date — subtle enough that attribution depends more heavily on die markers than on the doubling itself. What this variety lacks in doubling prominence it compensates for with one of the most comprehensive die marker inventories in the entire 1970-D catalog, transforming the attribution process from a doubling-detection exercise into a forensic die-identification challenge. The obverse marker documentation is extensive: die gouges appear in GOD and TRUST, with an additional gouge positioned at the rim near the 8:00 position. Another gouge sits directly in front of Lincoln's lips, and feeder finger damage — linear impressions left by the mechanical fingers that feed planchets into the coining press — cuts through ITED in UNITED on what would normally be considered the reverse legend but here serves as a clash-transferred diagnostic on the obverse. The reverse carries equally abundant markers, headlined by numerous large gouges positioned below the Memorial building and supplemented by additional markers documented across the die's surface. The cross-reference to WDDO-033 indicates these two varieties share some relationship — possibly struck from dies prepared in the same batch or displaying similar die preparation characteristics. Christenson's thorough documentation of both marker locations and the feeder finger damage provides an unusually complete forensic profile that allows confident attribution even on specimens where the weak doubling above the 7 is barely perceptible. The feeder finger damage through ITED is particularly diagnostic because it represents a production artifact distinct from normal die wear or maintenance marks, giving this variety a marker type that is uncommon in the doubled die literature. For specialists who prize attribution certainty over visual drama, WDDO-032 demonstrates that weak-doubling varieties with rich marker profiles can be more satisfying to attribute than strong-doubling varieties with sparse documentation. Submitted By: Keith Christenson Obverse: Short die scratches extends SE from the lower right side of the 7 in the date. Weak NE/SW die scratch left of the 9 in the date. Thin N/S die scratches left of the mintmark D. E/W die scratches on the front tip of the bust. Weak NW/SE die scratches below the bust. Short die scratch extends SE from the eyebrow. Numerous N/S die scratches through IGWT and LIBERTY. Die scratch extends S from the T in LIBERTY. Strong die scratch above the right side of the first T in TRUST. Thin E/W die scratches throughout reverse, most notable at the cornices and through the N in ONE and the NT in CENT. Weak NW/SE die scratch below the IC in AMERICA.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Larry Alford Cross References: None known 1970-D 1¢ WDDO-033
• None known 1970-D 1¢ WDDO-033; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-D 1¢ WDDO-032
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References