1999 (D) Lincoln Memorial Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

First Wexler-cataloged doubled die obverse for the 1999 Denver Mint Lincoln Memorial Cent, WDDO-001 presents extra thickness on the date, the mintmark, and WE TRUST. A distinctive notch appears at the bottom of the right leg of the R in TRUST, providing an additional diagnostic beyond the basic doubling pattern. Die markers further assist with attribution: the obverse carries a die gouge below the I of IN, while the reverse displays a die gouge to the left of the bottom of the first Memorial column. These die-specific markers help variety collectors confirm they are examining the correct die pair rather than a superficially similar variety from a different die. The 1999-D Memorial Cent was struck during the final year before the Lincoln Cent underwent its most significant reverse design change in four decades — the 2009 bicentennial program introduced four different reverses celebrating Lincoln's life, followed by the permanent Shield reverse in 2010. Cross-referenced with no known alternate designations beyond its Wexler ID of 1999-D 1c WDDO-001, this variety holds the distinction of being the lead entry for its date and mintmark, suggesting it was either the first discovered or the most prominent. The doubling on both the date and mintmark makes this variety particularly useful for attribution, as those elements appear at different positions on the die and confirm the hub doubling event affected a broad area of the working die face.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1999-D 1¢ WDDO-001

External References