1988 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Sharing a similar spread-toward-the-rim mechanism with WDDR-001 but exhibiting a broader distribution of doubling, WDDR-002 on the 1988 Lincoln Memorial cent shows extra thickness on USA, EPU, and the surrounding dots, with the lower serifs of USA displaying distinctive notching where the doubled image creates a stepped edge at the letter bases. The notching effect on USA's serifs is a particularly useful diagnostic because it is visible under moderate magnification and persists even on lightly circulated specimens where subtler doubling might wear away. On EPU, most of the extra thickness concentrates on the left-side letters and dots, suggesting the hub's secondary impression shifted slightly in that direction during the die-making process. The obverse die carries a small gouge inside the upper loop of the nine in the date and two weak scratches running south under the one — markers that help confirm the die pairing and distinguish this variety from the other two WDDR entries cataloged for 1988. On the reverse, short gouges protrude from the center left and upper left of the A in STATES, providing additional attribution points. Doubled die reverses require the collector to flip the coin and carefully examine lettering that often receives less scrutiny than the obverse portrait, making these varieties rewarding finds for patient cherry-pickers. Attributed by the Wexler Team, struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams and 19mm diameter. Die Markers: Obverse: A small die gouge can be found inside the upper loop of the nine. Two weak die scratches run south under the one in the date. Reverse: Short die gouges protrude from the center left and upper left of the A in STATES.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jennifer Casazza Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1988 1¢ WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References