1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Designated in the Cherrypickers' Guide as FS-01-1970S-102 (030), the 1970-S WDDO-003 is a Class III doubled die obverse struck as a proof from the Small Date parent — and its doubling mechanism is fundamentally different from the Class I rotational spreads that dominate the 1970-S DDO roster. Class III doubled dies result from a design hub change rather than misalignment during a single hubbing sequence: in this case, a Large Date hub was impressed over a Small Date hub (or vice versa), creating a die that carries design elements from both hub types superimposed on a single working die face. The result is strong extra thickness on affected design elements, where the slightly different letter positions and proportions between the two hub designs produce visible doubling that can appear similar to Class I spread but originates from an entirely distinct mechanical cause. Cross-referenced as CONECA 3-O-III, Crawford CDDO-007, and Coppercoins 1970S-1DO-003P, this variety's proof-only status means it was produced exclusively on the San Francisco Mint's proof coining presses, where each planchet received a carefully controlled multi-strike impression from polished dies. The proof surface treatment amplifies the Class III doubling evidence: mirrored fields provide stark contrast against the extra metal thickness on frosted device edges, making the hub-over-hub superimposition more readily apparent than it would be on a business strike surface. The Cherrypickers' designation FS-102 positions this as the second-most significant 1970-S Lincoln cent variety after WDDO-001's FS-101, and the Class III mechanism makes it a particularly important reference point for collectors learning to distinguish between rotational spread (Class I) and design hub interchange (Class III) doubled dies. This variety exists only under the Proof Small Date parent because the Class III event — Large Date hub over Small Date hub — inherently defines the coin's date style classification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill Fivaz Cross References: CONECA: 3-O-III, Cherrypickers: FS-01-1970S-102 (030), Crawford: CDDO-007, Coppercoins: 1970S-1DO-003P
• CONECA: 3-O-III, Cherrypickers: FS-01-1970S-102 (030), Crawford: CDDO-007, Coppercoins: 1970S-1DO-003P; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ Pr WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References