1988 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team, WDDO-001 on the 1988 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent displays spread towards the center on IN GOD WE TRUST and the upper hair detail, accompanied by extra thickness on the date and LIBERTY. Spread towards center — a characteristic of certain classes of hub doubling — indicates that the secondary hub impression was slightly inward relative to the primary, compressing rather than separating the doubled image. This produces a thickening effect rather than the clear secondary outlines seen with outward-spreading Class II doubling. The obverse in Stage A shows parallel scratches between IN and GOD, while Stage B adds a clash mark from die-to-die contact during a no-planchet strike event. On the reverse, Stage A and Stage B die markers are documented for die pairing confirmation. The progression from Stage A to Stage B illustrates die deterioration over the die's production life — as the die accumulated strikes, it developed additional imperfections including clash marks that serve as chronological bookmarks within the die's service history. Collectors can determine which die state their specimen represents by checking for the presence or absence of the Stage B clash mark. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams and 19mm. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: Two parallel vertical die scratches can be found between IN and GOD. These die scratches can be seen on both known stages. A die scratch from the rim at about 8:00 runs NNE into the field. A die scratch runs NW from the shoulder to the right of the Y in LIBERTY. Obverse Stage B: A light die clash mark can be found to the left of the back of the neck. A die scratch runs NE from the lower front of the vest. A die scratch runs NE from the center right side of the G in GOD. Reverse Stage A: A vertical die scratch extends from the rim below the O in ONE. Reverse Stage B: Numerous die scratches run through and above ONE CENT. A prominent die scratch runs NE from the upper left of the N in ONE. A prominent die scratch runs ENE from the center bar of the E in ONE.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Conway Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1988 1¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References