1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-022

Description

Shifting the primary doubling location from the date to the legend, WDDO-022 on the 1970-S Large Date Lincoln Memorial cent exhibits doubling above the L in LIBERTY — extra metal deposited above the letter's vertical stroke where the secondary hub impression registered slightly lower than the first. This upward displacement of the secondary image is consistent with the hub sitting fractionally higher during the second hubbing, pushing the doubled impression of the L above the primary position. The two-stage obverse and two-stage reverse document a production arc across two identified die states, with a die clash mark visible south of the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse providing a strong secondary diagnostic. Die clash marks south of the Memorial appear when the obverse die's chin or bust area contacts the reverse die below the building's base, and the specific position and shape of this transferred impression function as a unique identifier for this die pairing. No cross-references to CONECA, Crawford, or Coppercoins have been established. Within the broader 1970-S WDDO catalog, WDDO-022 is noteworthy for concentrating its most visible doubling on LIBERTY rather than on the date — a location that many cherry-pickers check less habitually, since date-focused doubled dies dominate the most famous 1970-S varieties. Collectors who train their examination routine to include LIBERTY's letters systematically, rather than only glancing at the date, will be better positioned to detect varieties like WDDO-022 that might otherwise go unnoticed in a batch of 1970-S Large Date cents. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A small die gouge can be found below the left side of the R in LIBERTY. A small die gouge can be found above the seven in the date. Reverse Stage A: A strong die scratch runs SSW/NNE to the left of the left roof. Numerous other die scratches can be found throughout the reverse. Reverse Stage B: Additional die scratches run E/W to the left of the left roof.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-022
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References