1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007

Description

Cross-referenced as CONECA 23-O-I and Coppercoins 1970S-1DO-006, the 1970-S WDDO-007 under the Small Date parent is distinguished by a five-stage die life narrative that few Lincoln cent varieties can match in documentary depth. The doubling below the L in LIBERTY and above the 7 in the date serves as the variety's defining characteristic, but the real attribution challenge — and research value — lies in determining which of the five obverse and five reverse die stages a given specimen represents. The die's early stages preserve the doubling at its sharpest, with clean surfaces unmarked by the secondary damage that accumulates through extended production use. Mid-life stages introduce die clash marks into the diagnostic landscape: these incuse impressions from die-on-die contact without an intervening planchet create additional design traces on the die face that can either aid or complicate variety attribution depending on the examiner's experience. The die underwent heavy abrasion in its later stages — a common Mint practice where technicians mechanically polished the die surface to extend its service life by removing clash marks, flow lines, or other progressive defects. This abrasion treatment fundamentally altered the die's surface character, reducing or eliminating earlier diagnostic markers while introducing new ones in the form of directional polish lines. The final documented stage reveals a die crack through Lincoln's hair, marking the structural failure that signals a die approaching the end of its useful life. The Small Date parent classification under ODV-026 provides the compact date digit context for this variety, and collectors should be aware that specimens from different die stages can look markedly different from one another despite originating from the same working die — a consequence of the extensive surface evolution documented across these five stages. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A strong die gouge runs from WSW to ENE below the front of the bust. This die gouge is visible on all five stages of this variety. Numerous light die scratches run from SW to NE through and below IN GOD. Numerous light die scratches run from north to south to the right of the throat and bowtie. Obverse Stage B: The Stage A die scratches have been abraded away. Numerous die scratches run from SW to NE throughout the obverse. Two short, strong die scratches run NNE from the top of the E in LIBERTY. Several short die scratches run from SW to NE between the L and I in LIBERTY. Numerous other die scratches run mostly from north to south throughout the obverse. Obverse Stage D: The die has been heavily abraded removing the die clash marks and most Stage C die scratches. Long die scratches run SW from the N of IN and the G in GOD. Numerous die scratches run from NW to SE through the date. Numerous die scratches run from SW to NE to the right of the upper head. A small die gouge can be found south of the zero in the date. Reverse Stage A: Two short, vertical die gouges can be found to the left of the U in UNITED. A die gouge can be found above the left side of the 1st U in PLURIBUS. A horizontal die scratch runs through the steps on the right Memorial base. Numerous other die scratches can be found throughout the reverse. A die gouge runs NNE from the top right of the 2nd column to the Memorial ceiling. A short die scratch runs from SSW to NNE in the lower 2nd bay. Reverse Stage D: The die gouge from the top of the 2nd column is much weaker.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines Cross References: CONECA: 23-O-I, Coppercoins: 1970S-1DO-006
• CONECA: 23-O-I, Coppercoins: 1970S-1DO-006; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References