1970 (S) Lincoln Memorial Cent - Large Date - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

Fourth in the Wexler doubled die obverse sequence for the 1970-S Lincoln Memorial cent, WDDO-004 under the Large Date parent documents a doubled die variety with die markers cataloged across both obverse and reverse surfaces. Die markers documented in the attribution record serve as the primary identification pathway for this variety, anchoring the attribution to specific surface characteristics of the working die that produced these coins. The 1970-S date's position in Lincoln cent variety collecting reflects the convergence of several factors at the San Francisco Mint: production of both business strikes and proofs, the coexistence of Large Date and Small Date hub types creating parallel die populations, and the transitional hubbing technology of the era that was susceptible to generating doubled dies at rates higher than modern production methods. Because many 1970-S WDDO varieties appear under both date style parents — the same obverse die variety assigned to both Large Date and Small Date catalog entries — collectors should examine die marker photographs carefully when attributing specimens, as the doubling pattern alone may not distinguish between date style assignments. The die markers recorded for this Large Date listing provide the diagnostic anchors specific to confirming both the variety identity and the correct parent classification.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Two parallel die scratches run SSW from the bottoms of the R and T in LIBERTY. A die scratch runs from SSW to NNE north of the T in LIBERTY. A die gouge can be found on the vest SW of the 1 in the date. Reverse: A die gouge can be found on the upper part of the vertical bar of the T in LIBERTY.

External References