1972-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007

Description

Unique among the 1972-S doubled die obverses for its unusual location of visible doubling, WDDO-007 shows its primary doubling at an angle on the floor below the statue inside the Lincoln Memorial — technically an obverse design element transfer from the reverse, making this variety somewhat unusual in its visual presentation. The variety was submitted by Daniel Griffin and carries Wexler Variety ID 1972-S 1¢ WDDO-007, with no external cross-references established. The description of doubling "at an angle on the floor below the statue" indicates the spread affects the architectural detail of the Memorial interior floor line rather than the more commonly doubled legend or date elements. This location-specific doubling suggests the hub displacement that created WDDO-007 was oriented in a direction that produced its maximum visible effect in the lower Memorial detail rather than across LIBERTY or IN GOD WE TRUST — a geometry consistent with certain pivot-point rotations where the axis of rotation passes through the design area in a way that minimizes displacement at the periphery (where legends reside) while maximizing it at specific interior design points. Die markers documented for this variety include details from multiple examination stages that confirm the die's identity across its service life. The submission by Daniel Griffin — acknowledged in the original attribution documentation — represents the citizen-science contribution that expands the catalog of known varieties through collector participation. WDDO-007's unusual doubling location makes it a particularly interesting educational example of how the same mechanical process (hub doubling) can manifest in dramatically different visual ways depending on the precise geometry of the misalignment. Die Markers: Obverse: A die gouge can be found well right of the second T of TRUST. Light, vertical die scratches run through Lincoln’s upper forehead and front hair curl. A series of light vertical die scratches show in the shoulder fold of Lincoln’s jacket. Reverse: Light concentric die scratches can be found in memorial bays 8, 9, 10, and 11, on the right and left cornice, and on the right and left roof. Small die gouges can be found in memorial bays 2 and 3.Submitted By: Daniel Griffin Cross References: None known Obverse: A die scratch runs SSW/NNE to the right of the Y in LIBERTY. Reverse: A die gouge can be found near the rim midway between the second A in AMERICA and the designer’s initials. A small die gouge can be found NNW of the designer’s initials.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Keith Christenson Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1972-S 1¢ WDDO-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References