1972 (D) Lincoln Memorial Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

Fourth in the Wexler sequence, WDDO-004 of the 1972-D Lincoln Memorial cent presents a nice Class I counterclockwise spread on LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date. Cross-referenced as CONECA 4-O-I and Coppercoins 1972D-1DO-004, this variety carries values of $10 in AU, $15 in MS60, $25 in MS63, and $35 in MS65RD — the most affordable of the first four WDDO entries, making it an accessible entry point for collectors building a 1972-D doubled die set. A distinctive die scratch running from the loop of the 9 to the 1 in the date characterizes Stage A of this obverse die, providing a quick screening marker before investing time in confirming the doubled die characteristics proper. Three obverse stages document the die's full production arc, while the reverse progression through three stages reveals increasingly dramatic deterioration: Stage B develops die cracks through the Memorial columns, and by Stage C a large die chip has formed that replaces what was previously a bay crack — an evolution from linear fracture to material loss that represents advanced die failure. The transformation of a crack into a chip on the reverse provides precise die state chronology: any specimen showing the bay crack without the chip preceded those showing the chip, while the Stage A obverse die scratch from 9 to 1 allows parallel obverse state determination. This layered diagnostic framework — combining doubled die attribution with progressive die state tracking on both sides — exemplifies the detailed variety research that characterizes Wexler Team documentation. Reverse Stage A: A short die gouge extends upward from the upper left corner of the left Memorial base.

Cross References

• CONECA: 4-O-I, Coppercoins: 1972D-1DO-004 Values: AU = $10, MS60 = $15, MS63 = $25, MS65RD = $35 Comments: I would like to see high grade specimens of all three stages of this variety to upgrade my photo files.; Wexler Variety ID: 1972-D 1¢ WDDO-004

External References