1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-017

Description

The Small Date manifestation of WDDO-017 on the 1970-S Lincoln Memorial cent shares the same hub doubling characteristics as its Large Date counterpart — doubling above the 7 in the date — but appears within the Small Date parent classification, where the date numerals sit at a uniform height with the 9's loop more rounded than on the Large Date punch. The two-stage die progression documented for this variety includes both obverse and reverse die state evolution. The obverse carries a die scratch originating from the E in WE that serves as a die-specific fingerprint, while the reverse preserves die clash remnants from an incident where the obverse and reverse dies contacted each other without an intervening planchet. These clash marks appear as faint impressions of the obverse design transferred onto the reverse die's surface. Because the Small Date 1970-S cent was produced in lower quantities than the Large Date, examples of WDDO-017 in this parent classification may be proportionally scarcer — though production figures alone do not determine variety rarity, since the number of coins struck from this specific doubled die is unknown. The absence of published cross-references means attribution relies on matching the doubling pattern and die markers against Wexler's reference documentation. Cherry-pickers should focus on the area immediately above the horizontal bar of the 7 in the date, where the secondary hub impression created a distinct shelf of extra metal.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-017
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References