2013 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-002

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-3364 and DMR-003, this 2013 Lincoln Shield Cent DDR-002 presents strong extra thickness on the inscriptions OF AMERICA, ONE, the designer initials LB (for Lyndall Bass, the Shield reverse designer), and the JMF initials (for sculptor Joseph Menna and engraver Michael Gaudioso). The extra thickness classification distinguishes this variety from spread-type doubling — rather than showing separated secondary images, the affected letters and initials appear noticeably thicker than normal due to a subtle hub displacement that expanded the letter profiles without creating visible separation between primary and secondary impressions. Three documented die stages track this die through its service life: Stage A at early die state (EDS) remains unconfirmed; Stage B shows early-mid die state (EMDS) with small die chips developing on the left shield edge, a die chip forming between the JF of the JFM initials, and the obverse reaching EMDS; Stage C at late die state (LDS) is unconfirmed. The progressive die chip accumulation at Stage B documents the deterioration of fine design elements — the shield edge and tiny designer initials are among the first features to show die wear because their sharp relief concentrates striking stress. The Lincoln Shield Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 2013 in copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) weighing 2.5 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. Lyndall Bass designed the Shield reverse featuring a Union shield with thirteen vertical stripes, while Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait of Abraham Lincoln continues the longest-running design in American coinage history. The DMR-003 designation as only the third documented die marriage reverse for this variety code indicates this die pair holds an early position in the 2013 Shield Cent variety catalog.

Die Markers

• UVC-3364
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Small die chips on Left shield edge – EMDS
• Die chip between JF of JFM initials
• Obverse is EMDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bob Gittis
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References