1973-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

The sole documented Wexler doubled die obverse for the 1973 Denver Mint Lincoln Memorial cent, WDDO-001 represents an isolated instance of hub doubling during Denver's 1973 production — a stark contrast to the extraordinary proliferation of doubled dies that characterized the 1972 production year across all mints. The obverse die markers provide specific identification diagnostics: a die scratch runs west-northwest from the top of the D in GOD on the obverse. The reverse carries two markers: a die scratch running northeast from the top of the O in ONE, and a die scratch running northwest to southeast through the T in CENT. These directional die scratches — particularly the consistent northwest-southeast orientation of the CENT scratch and the complementary northeast orientation of the ONE scratch — suggest the reverse die received polishing attention that left characteristic linear evidence at consistent angles. As the only documented doubled die obverse for 1973-D, this variety holds the singular distinction of representing the entire known census of Denver Mint hub doubling for the date. The dramatic reduction from 1972's twenty-six Philadelphia WDDOs (plus additional varieties at Denver and San Francisco) to a single documented variety for 1973-D suggests the Mint made significant improvements to its hubbing equipment and die-making procedures in the intervening year — likely in direct response to the unprecedented production problems of 1972. Collectors examining 1973-D Lincoln cents should be aware that while this is the only attributed doubled die for the date, the specific nature and location of the doubling would need to be confirmed through detailed magnification of the obverse design elements, cross-referenced against the documented die markers, to positively attribute a candidate specimen.

Die Markers

• Obverse: A die scratch runs WNW from the top of the D in GOD. Reverse: A die scratch runs NE from the top of the O in ONE. A die scratch runs NW/SE through the T in CENT.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References