1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-017

Description

Documented on the 1970-S Large Date Lincoln Memorial cent, WDDO-017 presents doubling visible above the 7 in the date — a partial horizontal bar of extra metal where the secondary hub impression deposited design elements slightly offset from the primary impression. This variety tracks through a two-stage obverse and two-stage reverse die progression. On the obverse, die state evolution is marked by a die scratch extending from the E in WE, providing a diagnostically useful marker that develops across the die's working life. The reverse carries die clash remnants — transferred impressions from the obverse die that were deposited during an unintended contact between the paired dies without a planchet between them. These clash marks provide secondary attribution evidence and confirm the specific die pairing, since clash impressions are unique to the exact obverse and reverse dies that made contact. No cross-references to CONECA, Crawford, or Coppercoins have been published for WDDO-017 in this Large Date context. The doubling above the 7 represents a vertical component of hub displacement: during the second hubbing, the hub was positioned slightly lower than during the first impression, causing the top of the 7 to receive a secondary image above its primary position. Collectors should examine the 7 under 10x or higher magnification, looking for a thin shelf or extra line of metal directly above the digit's horizontal stroke. Reverse Stage B: A die clash remnant extends NE from the roof south of the S in PLURIBUS.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-017
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References