2018 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Detected by the Wexler Team on a 2018 Lincoln Shield Cent, WDDO-005 displays moderate extra thickness on LIBERTY with a particularly diagnostic feature: the upper left branch of the Y in LIBERTY is noticeably thicker than the upper right branch, creating an asymmetric appearance that immediately signals hub doubling to the trained eye. Under normal circumstances, the Y's two upper branches are symmetrical, and the thickening of one branch over the other provides strong evidence that a secondary hub impression shifted the design slightly in one direction, adding material to one side while leaving the other unchanged. This asymmetric Y diagnostic is one of the most reliable quick-check indicators for this specific variety, allowing experienced attributors to identify potential WDDO-005 specimens with minimal magnification. Die markers include a small die gouge to the left of the upper first A in AMERICA on the reverse, while no significant obverse markers have been noted. No cross-references to other attribution systems are currently known, with the Wexler designation serving as the primary reference. The 2018 Lincoln Shield Cent was produced at Philadelphia during a year when the Mint continued to manufacture billions of one-cent coins despite their production cost exceeding face value. Five cataloged doubled die obverses for the 2018 date reflects ongoing variety research on Shield Cents, a design that entered its ninth year of production in 2018 and had already generated a substantial body of documented die varieties across both mint facilities.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Nicholas Hurley Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2018 1¢ WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References