1984 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-008

Description

Connecting to the broader theme that makes 1984 one of the most famous years for Lincoln cent doubled dies, DDO-008 shows light spread to the south that manifests as an extra earlobe on Lincoln's portrait. The ear region of Lincoln's bust has become the signature diagnostic zone for 1984 doubled dies ever since the widely publicized major variety (the so-called "1984 Doubled Ear") brought national attention to the date. On DDO-008, the southward spread displaces a secondary impression of the ear just enough to create the appearance of a small supplementary lobe beneath the primary ear — a feature that rewards careful examination under magnification. While the doubling here is classified as light, the earlobe location makes it visually compelling and easy to communicate to collectors familiar with the famous doubled ear. Die markers UVC-3482 and DMR-011 distinguish this die from others in the 1984 DDO series. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams from a production run exceeding 8.15 billion cents, DDO-008 shares the ear-doubling lineage without reaching the dramatic strength of the celebrated major variety.

Die Markers

• UVC-3482; DMR-011

External References