1972 Lincoln Memorial Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

1972 WDDO-004 is a doubled die obverse on the 1972 Lincoln Memorial cent, cataloged by the Wexler team. The doubling is a close Class I spread in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction, seen on IN GOD WE TRUST, with more on the lower LIB of LIBERTY and on the 2 of the date. Wexler records three obverse stages. On Stage A, a short but strong gouge projects from the rim at a point well north of the L in LIBERTY, and none of the later rim cuds are present yet. Stage B adds a rim cud (die break) left of that L, and Stage C shows several rim cuds between the 8:00 and 10:00 positions. The reverse markers stay the same through Stages A, B and C: three almost-parallel scratches running SW from the base of the N in UNITED; inside the top of that N, a short vertical gouge; a scratch joining the centers of the A and T in STATES; and many west-to-east scratches above and below the Memorial. Joseph Koelling submitted Stage A; John A. Wexler submitted Stages B and C. CONECA lists the variety as 4-O-I, and Crawford as CDDO-004. Its Cherrypickers number is FS-01-1972-104 (033.54), and its Coppercoins number is 1972P-1DO-004. Wexler's comments suggest the rim cuds, Stage C's above all, may mean the obverse die broke down quickly and fell well short of a normal die run; in support, several stages of the reverse die turn up paired with an undoubled obverse. Wexler includes it in its "Best Of" varieties.

Cross References

• CONECA: 4-O-I, Cherrypickers: FS-01-1972-104 (033.54), Crawford: CDDO-004, Coppercoins: 1972P-1DO-004 Comments: This doubled die variety has proven to be very rare. It has been suggested that the rims cuds, especially those seen on; Wexler Variety ID: 1972 1¢ WDDO-004

External References