2009 (P) Lincoln Cent - Formative Years - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-021

Description

Identified on the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial Formative Years cent, WDDO-021 presents extra thickness on the date numerals and beard details, with a distinctive notch visible on the lower left of the numeral 2. The Formative Years design depicts a young Abraham Lincoln as a rail splitter, and this doubled die obverse variety highlights how even subtle hub misalignment during die production can leave measurable traces on fine portrait elements like the beard. Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 2009 1¢ FY WDDO-021, this variety is part of the four-design bicentennial cent program that commemorated Lincoln's two-hundredth birthday with scenes from his life. The notch on the lower left of the 2 serves as a quick diagnostic for cherry-pickers, offering an easily spotted marker before moving on to confirm the extra thickness across the date and beard under higher magnification. Obverse die markers further authenticate the specific die pair. The 2009 bicentennial cents saw limited circulation due to the economic downturn, making doubled die varieties from this year less commonly encountered in pocket change.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2009 1¢ FY WDDO-021

External References