1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-025

Description

A diagnostically rich variety on the 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Memorial cent, WDDO-025 exhibits Class I counterclockwise spread visible on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date — three diagnostic zones where the rotational hub displacement deposited secondary images offset from the primary design elements. Class I doubling results from a rotated hub during one of the multiple hubbing impressions needed to sink the design into a working die, and the counterclockwise spread direction means the secondary images appear displaced in a consistent rotational vector across the coin's entire obverse. The two-stage obverse and two-stage reverse document two identified die states across the production run. Detailed die scratches provide a constellation of die-specific markers that aid attribution — these scratches, caused by contact between the die surface and foreign material during handling or maintenance, create unique patterns of raised lines on struck coins that serve as fingerprints independent of the doubling itself. Because die scratches are random and specific to individual dies, they provide the most reliable means of distinguishing WDDO-025 from other counterclockwise-spread doubled dies in the 1970-S catalog. No cross-references to other attribution systems have been published. The breadth of the doubling across three separate design zones — motto, liberty, and date — means collectors have multiple areas to examine when cherry-picking, increasing the likelihood of detection even if one zone is obscured by wear or contact marks. The counterclockwise spread on the date digits, combined with the die scratch constellation, provides the most efficient attribution pathway for confirming this variety.

Attribution History

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ WDDO-025
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References