1988-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Struck as a proof at the San Francisco Mint, the 1988-S WDDO-001 exhibits Class IV spread doubling — a spread towards the center of the die — visible on Lincoln's profile, the upper hair details, and the back of the head. Class IV doubling (also known as offset hub doubling) occurs when the working hub is slightly offset during one of the multiple impressions used to fully sink the design into the working die, producing a secondary image displaced inward from the primary design elements. On this variety, the doubling is best observed on the high-relief areas of Lincoln's portrait where the spread creates subtle but measurable extra thickness along the profile contour. Die markers for attribution include no significant markers on either the obverse or reverse, meaning identification relies primarily on the doubling characteristics themselves rather than on incidental die features. The Wexler catalog lists this as 1988-S 1¢ WDDO-001 under the proof ("Pr") classification, confirming its identity as a proof strike from the San Francisco facility. Proof Lincoln cents were struck on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies with multiple impressions, creating the mirror-like fields and frosted design elements characteristic of the format. Struck on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jon Rice Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1988-S 1¢ Pr WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References