1972 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

Among the rarest of the 1972 Philadelphia doubled die obverses, WDDO-004 exhibits a close Class I counterclockwise (CCW) spread visible on IN GOD WE TRUST, with doubling also showing on the lower LIB of LIBERTY and the numeral 2 in the date. Three obverse die stages and three reverse die stages have been documented, recording this die's progression from relatively fresh to severely deteriorated. What distinguishes WDDO-004 in the marketplace is its proven rarity — this doubled die variety has produced far fewer known specimens than varieties 001 through 003, making it a significant prize for collectors pursuing comprehensive 1972 doubled die sets. It has been suggested that the rim cuds visible on later die stage specimens — especially those developing in the advanced stages — contributed to the die's relatively early retirement from service, limiting the total population struck before the die was pulled. The development of cuds (complete rim breaks where die fragments separate) on a doubled die is an unusual combination that makes late-stage WDDO-004 specimens doubly interesting: they exhibit both the original hub doubling error and subsequent die failure, documenting two distinct types of die anomaly on a single coin. Cross-referenced as CONECA 4-O-I, Cherrypickers' Guide FS-01-1972-104 (033.54), Crawford CDDO-004, and Coppercoins 1972P-1DO-004. The close nature of the CCW spread requires careful examination under magnification to confirm — unlike the dramatic WDDO-001 where doubling leaps off the coin's surface, WDDO-004 rewards the patient examiner who knows exactly where to look and what separation pattern to expect at each affected design element. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A short but strong die gouge protrudes from the rim well north of the L in LIBERTY. Obverse Stage B: A rim cud (die break) shows to the left of the L of LIBERTY. Reverse Stage A: Three nearly parallel die scratches extend SW from the bottom of the N in UNITED. A short, vertical die gouge can be found inside the upper N of UNITED. A die scratch connects the centers of the A and T of STATES. Numerous die scratches run west to east above and below the Memorial Reverse Stage B: Same as Stage A markers.

Attribution History

• 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
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References