1972 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007

Description

Exhibiting a very nice Class I counterclockwise (CCW) spread on the letters of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date, WDDO-007 ranks among the stronger doubled dies in the 1972 Philadelphia series — not quite at the level of WDDO-001 or WDDO-002, but displaying clearly visible doubling that satisfies the criteria for recognition in multiple reference works. Three obverse die stages and three reverse die stages have been documented, providing an extensive die marker record that allows precise attribution of individual specimens to specific points in the die's production life. The three-stage documentation indicates this die remained in service long enough to develop meaningful wear progression — from the sharpest earliest impressions (Stage A) through moderate use (Stage B) to advanced deterioration (Stage C) — giving collectors multiple price points and preservation levels to target within the same variety. Cross-referenced as CONECA 7-O-I, Cherrypickers' Guide FS 01-1972-107 (033.57), Crawford CDDO-007, and Coppercoins 1972P-1DO-007. The CCW rotation direction means that when comparing doubled images to the primary design, the secondary (doubled) image is shifted in a counterclockwise direction — the same rotation class as WDDO-002 and WDDO-004, but at a different magnitude and affecting the design elements in this die's own characteristic pattern. Among the thirteen Wexler-attributed 1972 doubled dies, WDDO-007's three-stage documentation and FS listing make it one of the more comprehensively recorded varieties, offering collectors extensive reference material for attribution work. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A die scratch extends NW from the upper left W of WE to the rim. A small die gouge protrudes from the rim below the B in the designer’s initials. A small die gouge can be found below the R of LIBERTY. A small die gouge can be found just under the left curl of the 9 in the date. All of the Stage A markers are gone except for a small remnant of the die gouge from the rim below the B of the designer’s initials. Numerous die scratches run SW to NE in front of and behind the bust of Lincoln. A strong die scratch extends WNW from the top left side of the I of IN. Two short, strong die scratches extend NE from the top of Lincoln’s head between the W and E of WE. Two vertical die scratches show between the T and R of TRUST and another vertical die scratch shows between the R and U of TRUST. Reverse Stage A: A small die gouge can be found just above the roof of the Memorial and below the N of UNUM. Reverse Stage B: The Stage A die gouge is no longer visible. A small die gouge can be found touching the center right side of the U of UNITED. A small die gouge (dot) can be found to the left of the top of the 1st Memorial column. The Stage B die gouge at the U of UNITED is still visible. Significant die scratches include a die scratch extending NW from the top of the left cornice, a die scratch extending southeast from the bottom of the S in PLURIBUS, and a die scratch extending ESE from the right side of the Memorial roof above the right cornice.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: 7-O-I, Cherrypickers: FS 01-1972-107 (033.57), Crawford: CDDO-007, Coppercoins: 1972P-1DO-007
• CONECA: 7-O-I, Cherrypickers: FS 01-1972-107 (033.57), Crawford: CDDO-007, Coppercoins: 1972P-1DO-007; Wexler Variety ID: 1972 1¢ WDDO-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References