1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-023

Description

Documenting the Large Date counterpart to WDDO-023 on the 1970-S Lincoln Memorial cent, this entry extends the variety's coverage across both date variants produced at the San Francisco Mint in 1970. The Large Date 1970-S cent is readily distinguished by the height of the 7 in the date — its top extends noticeably above the other numerals, and the 9 carries a straighter, less rounded upper loop than the Small Date version. Because the hub doubling that creates a WDDO is imparted during die manufacture, the same doubling characteristics appear on both Large Date and Small Date specimens struck from this die; what differs is the working die's date configuration, which was set by the date punch applied before hubbing. No cross-references link WDDO-023 to other attribution systems, and Wexler's die marker documentation serves as the sole reference for identifying this variety. The Large Date 1970-S business strike was produced in higher volume than the Small Date, so the baseline population of potential WDDO-023 specimens is correspondingly larger in this parent classification — though the actual number of coins struck from this specific doubled die remains unknown. For collectors, the practical implication is that Large Date examples of varieties deep in the WDDO catalog, like number 023, may surface more frequently in unsearched accumulations of 1970-S cents, where the Large Date coins numerically dominate. Identification demands magnified examination and systematic comparison against Wexler's published die markers to distinguish WDDO-023 from the numerous other doubled dies cataloged for this date.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Conway Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-023
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References