1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-021

Description

Cataloged as the twenty-first Wexler doubled die obverse for the 1970-S Lincoln Memorial cent, WDDO-021 appears here in the Small Date classification with doubling visible above the 7 in the date. The two-stage obverse paired with a two-stage reverse indicates a shorter production run or fewer documented die states compared to varieties with three or more stages, though it may also reflect limited collector reporting rather than a genuinely abbreviated die life. Die clash remnants on the reverse confirm at least one incident where the dies struck each other without an intervening planchet, leaving transferred obverse design impressions embedded in the reverse die's surface. These clash marks serve as independent die-pairing confirmation — because each clash event produces a unique pattern determined by the exact registration between the specific obverse and reverse dies at the moment of contact, clash remnants function as fingerprints that tie the two dies together. No cross-references to CONECA, Crawford, or Coppercoins have been published for this variety. The doubling above the 7 is consistent with a vertical component of hub displacement during the second hubbing impression, where the hub sat slightly lower in the press, causing the top of the 7 to receive extra metal above its intended position. On the Small Date variety, where the 7 is shorter and the date numerals are more uniformly proportioned, this extra material above the 7 can be subtle — requiring careful magnified examination to distinguish from die deterioration or machine doubling artifacts. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A small die gouge can be found to the left of the W in WE. Numerous N/S die scratches can be seen to the left of the bust. Reverse Stage A: A short die gouge protrudes from the bottom right of the N in UNITED. Reverse Stage B: A die gouge can be found just inside the bottom right of the N in CENT.

Attribution History

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-021
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References