1972 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-008

Description

Described by the Wexler attribution team as being equivalent in quality to WDDO-002, WDDO-008 is a very nice Class I doubled die variety that would most likely be considered a major variety in its own right if the legendary WDDO-001 did not overshadow all other 1972 doubled dies. The strong spread of the doubling has caught on with collectors in recent years, with prices for nice Brilliant Uncirculated specimens continuing to rise significantly as awareness of this variety's quality has grown beyond the specialist doubled die collecting community. Like WDDO-002, the strength of doubling on WDDO-008 places it in a select category — doubled dies where the secondary images are clearly visible under low magnification and produce an immediately recognizable "something is wrong with this coin" reaction even in casual examination. Early die state specimens show the doubling at its crispest, with sharp separation between primary and secondary images that progressively softens in later die states as mechanical wear erodes the doubled features. Cross-referenced as CONECA 8-O-I, Cherrypickers' Guide FS 01-1972-108 (033.58), Crawford CDDO-008, and Coppercoins 1972P-1DO-008. The variety's rising market profile reflects a broader trend in error coin collecting: as WDDO-001 becomes increasingly expensive and difficult to acquire in choice condition, knowledgeable collectors redirect attention to the next tier of 1972 doubled dies — varieties like WDDO-002 and WDDO-008 that offer genuine visual drama at more accessible price points while remaining legitimately significant die varieties worthy of any advanced collection.

Attribution History

• CONECA: 8-O-I, Cherrypickers: FS 01-1972-108 (033.58), Crawford: CDDO-008, Coppercoins: 1972P-1DO-008 Comments: Like WDDO-002, this is a very nice Class I doubled die variety and if Die #1 (WDDO-001) did not exist, this would most likely be considered to be a major variety in its own right. This variety, because of the strong spread of the doubling, has caught on with collectors over the past several years and prices for nice Brilliant Uncirculated specimens have continued to rise significantly. Early die state specimens from; Wexler Variety ID: 1972 1¢ WDDO-008
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References