1972 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-006

Description

Showing moderate Class I clockwise (CW) spread on the letters of IN GOD WE TRUST, the LIB of LIBERTY, and the 2 in the date, WDDO-006 occupies the middle ground of the 1972 Philadelphia doubled die spectrum — stronger than the very close varieties (WDDO-005, WDDO-009) but not approaching the dramatic heavy doubling of WDDO-001 or WDDO-002. Two obverse die stages and two reverse die stages have been documented with full die marker descriptions for each state. The progression from Stage A (sharper doubling, original die markers intact) to Stage B (slightly softer doubling as die wear accumulates, some markers weakening or disappearing) follows the standard pattern seen across all multi-stage doubled dies: the secondary image created during hubbing is gradually eroded by the mechanical wear of millions of striking cycles. Collectors prize Stage A specimens for their crisper doubled images. Cross-referenced as CONECA 6-O-I, Cherrypickers' Guide FS 01-1972-106 (033.56), Crawford CDDO-006, and Coppercoins 1972P-1DO-006. The moderate spread makes WDDO-006 an accessible variety for intermediate collectors — visible enough to confirm under standard 10x magnification without requiring the specialized high-power equipment needed for very close varieties, yet not so dramatic as to carry the premium prices commanded by WDDO-001 and WDDO-002. This positioning makes it an excellent entry point for collectors building 1972 doubled die sets who want confirmed, FS-listed varieties at approachable price levels while developing their doubled die identification skills. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: Several die scratches extend SW from the letters of IN extending all the way down to the letters of LIBERTY. A short die gouge extends NW to the rim from the upper left corner of the D in GOD. A die scratch extends SSW from the bottom of the O in GOD to the top of Lincoln’s head. Two die scratches extend SSW from the bottom of the D in GOD to the top of Lincoln’s head. A die scratch extends SSE from the lower right part of the curve of the R in TRUST. A die scratch runs NNW to the rim from the upper right U of TRUST. Reverse Stage A: A die scratch runs NW to SE just below the left leg of the 1st A in AMERICA. Two strong die scratches curve WNW on the Memorial roof starting above the 5th Memorial bay. A small die gouge can be found just to the right of the upper horizontal bar of the E in CENT. A short die scratch extends west from the bottom left side of the 1st Memorial column. Reverse Stage B: The two die scratches on the Memorial roof remain strong. The short die scratch from the bottom of the 1st column is weak, but still visible. Die scratches now run WNW to ESE through the PLUR of PLURIBUS and the UN of UNUM as well as over the right roof of the Memorial. The die scratch below the 1st A of AMERICA is no longer visible.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: 6-O-I, Cherrypickers’: FS 01-1972-106 (033.56), Crawford: CDDO-006, Coppercoins: 1972P-1DO-006
• CONECA: 6-O-I, Cherrypickers’: FS 01-1972-106 (033.56), Crawford: CDDO-006, Coppercoins: 1972P-1DO-006; Wexler Variety ID: 1972 1¢ WDDO-006
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References