1986 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Ranked third among the known doubled die obverse varieties for the 1986 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, DDO-003 exhibits strong spread on the top of Lincoln's head and on IN GOD WE TRUST. The "strong" classification indicates that doubling should be visible under moderate magnification, with separation or notching apparent on the affected design elements. Cataloged under die marker identifiers UVC-3350 and DMR-004, DDO-003 complements DDO-001 and DDO-002 as the third confirmed hub doubling event for the date. Where DDO-001 concentrates medium spread on the date and motto with lighter effects on LIBERTY, and DDO-002 targets the upper portrait and motto, DDO-003 shares DDO-002's focus on the head and motto but carries its own distinct die marker profile that separates it as an independent variety. The top of Lincoln's head — particularly the hair detail above the ear — serves as the primary diagnostic zone, with the motto lettering providing corroborating evidence. Philadelphia struck 4,491,395,493 Lincoln cents in 1986, consuming thousands of working dies, yet only three DDO varieties have been confirmed from this enormous production run. Struck at Philadelphia (no mint mark) on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Die Markers

• UVC-3350; DMR-004

External References