1988 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Limited to light spread on the date alone, DDO-004 on the 1988 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent represents the subtler end of the doubled die spectrum for this year. While DDO-001 through DDO-003 display strong to dramatic doubling visible at moderate magnification, DDO-004 requires more careful examination — typically at 10x or higher — to confirm the secondary image on the date numerals. Light spread indicates that the hub rotation during the die-making process was minimal, producing a separation between primary and secondary images measured in fractions of a millimeter rather than the more dramatic offsets seen on the FS-101 variety. Despite its subtlety, DDO-004 is a legitimate doubled die attributable through the UVC-3146 and DMR-012 classification codes, and it was paired with a reverse of the RDV-005 design generation. Collectors building a comprehensive set of 1988 Philadelphia doubled die varieties will find DDO-004 an essential inclusion even though its visual impact is modest compared to the prominent doubling on DDO-003. The variety serves as a useful comparison piece, illustrating how the same mechanical process — Class II hub rotation — produces dramatically different results depending on the magnitude of misalignment. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets weighing 2.5 grams at 19mm diameter.

Die Markers

• UVC-3146; DMR-012

External References