1971-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Presenting a very strong Class V clockwise spread from a pivot point at approximately 6:00, WDDO-002 on the 1971-S proof Lincoln Memorial cent documents the second Wexler doubled die obverse for this date — a doubling geometry where the hub rotated around a fulcrum near the bottom of the die, producing maximum displacement at the top of the design and diminishing spread as elements approach the pivot at the base. This variety also carries a Class II component, making it a combined II+V classification where both radial distortion and pivot-point rotation contributed to the final doubling pattern. The very strong spread is visible on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST, with slight spread extending to the date — the reduced displacement at the date area is consistent with its proximity to the 6:00 pivot, where rotational offset is minimal. Cross-referenced extensively as CONECA 2-O-II+V, Cherrypickers Guide FS-01-1971S-102 (formerly FS-033), Crawford CDDO-002, and Coppercoins 1971-S-1DO-002P, this variety's quadruple external attribution confirms it as a recognized Cherrypickers Guide variety — the FS designation indicating it meets the Fivaz-Stanton criteria for significance. Die markers include a die scratch running ESE from the rim to the left of the W in WE on the obverse, while the reverse shows die scratches running SW to NE in the lower tenth and eleventh Memorial bays and a curving die scratch running SSW to NNE through the right Memorial base. Proof surfaces render the Class V pivot-point doubling with exceptional clarity, particularly on LIBERTY where the CW rotation produces the greatest displacement and the frosted lettering against mirror fields creates maximum visual contrast at the doubled edges.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: 2-O-II+V, Cherrypickers: FS-01-1971S-102 (033), Crawford: CDDO-002, Coppercoins: 1971-S-1DO-002P
• CONECA: 2-O-II+V, Cherrypickers: FS-01-1971S-102 (033), Crawford: CDDO-002, Coppercoins: 1971-S-1DO-002P; Wexler Variety ID: 1971-S 1¢ Pr WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References