1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-035

Description

One of the more visually dramatic proof doubled dies in the 1970-S Lincoln Memorial cent series, WDDO-035 shows strong spread towards the rim on LIBERTY, closer spread on the date, and very close spread on IN GOD WE TRUST — a graduated intensity pattern where doubling magnitude diminishes from peripheral lettering toward the design center. This gradient is characteristic of Class II hub doubling involving radial displacement: design elements farther from the pivot point experience greater linear displacement. Cross-referenced as CONECA 15-O-II, this variety is independently confirmed in the CONECA doubled die catalog. A particularly notable die characteristic distinguishes WDDO-035: Lincoln's nose appears flat, the result of heavy abrading applied to the die surface during preparation or maintenance. This abrading removed enough steel from the nose area to flatten what should be a rounded profile, creating a distinctive visual marker visible even without focusing on the doubling itself. Additionally, the mint mark sits closer to the 9 and farther from the 7 in the date compared to WDDO-033, providing a positional diagnostic that helps differentiate these two Small Date proof doubled dies. The flat nose, specific mintmark placement, and strong-to-close doubling gradient give WDDO-035 a robust set of attribution markers extending well beyond the doubling alone.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Albert B. Raddi Cross References: CONECA: 15-O-II
• CONECA: 15-O-II; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 1¢ Pr WDDO-035
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References