1989 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

Concentrated in the upper-right quadrant of the reverse, WDDR-003 (Wexler variety ID 1989 1¢ WDDR-003) shows extra thickness on STATES, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the left column dots of the Lincoln Memorial, with notching visible on the lower portion of the A in STATES. The notching on a single letter within STATES — specifically on the lower A — provides a focused attribution target: collectors can direct their magnification to this one letter and look for the telltale shelf-like stepping along its edge to confirm the variety. A die gouge above the left side of the Memorial roof rounds out the reverse die markers. The extra thickness on E PLURIBUS UNUM echoes the same motto-area doubling documented on WDDR-002, suggesting that the hub displacement direction for both varieties was oriented in a way that consistently impacted the upper register of the reverse design. However, WDDR-003's involvement of STATES rather than AMERICA or the designer's initials confirms it originated from a different working die with its own distinct misalignment characteristics. No additional cross-references are currently known. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1989 1¢ WDDR-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References