1997 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Affecting the Lincoln Memorial reverse architecture, WDDO-001 on the 1997 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Memorial Cent shows doubling on the left side of the bottom of the 7th Memorial column. Obverse die markers include a short die gouge extending north from the upper right of the first 9 in the date, a vertical die scratch connecting the ends of the top two horizontal bars of the E in LIBERTY, a die gouge right of the bottom of the 1, and two small die gouges below the second 9. These multiple obverse markers provide a robust diagnostic toolkit — even in cases where the column doubling is ambiguous, the constellation of die gouges and scratches around the date and LIBERTY can confirm attribution. No distinctive reverse die markers have been noted beyond the doubling on column 7. The 1997-P Lincoln Memorial Cent was produced in substantial quantities, and WDDO-001 remains the primary cataloged doubled die obverse for this date. No known cross-references exist beyond the Wexler designation. Submitted by John A. Wexler.

Die Markers

• Obverse Stage A: Short die gouge north from upper right 1st 9. Vertical die scratch connects ends of top two horizontal bars of E in LIBERTY. Obverse

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wexler Team

External References