2020 (P) Lincoln Shield Cent - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-010

Description

Tenth in the Wexler-documented obverse doubled die series for the 2020 Lincoln Shield cent, WDDO-010 shows moderate extra thickness on the date with the strongest doubling visible on the first two digits — the "20" in 2020. The Wexler Team cataloged this variety under the designation Wexler Variety ID: 2020 1¢ WDDO-010, with no additional cross-references known from other attribution services. Obverse die markers provide a critical secondary diagnostic: a short die gouge running northward from the top of Lincoln's head below the W in WE, offering an independent fingerprint for confirming the correct die before assessing the doubling. No significant reverse die markers were noted. Lyndall Bass's 2010 revision of the Lincoln cent reverse — the Union Shield design that replaced the four 2009 bicentennial reverses — has now been in production for over a decade, and the high-volume Philadelphia production of modern cents continues to generate new doubled die discoveries annually. The moderate classification for this DDO places it between light (barely perceptible thickening) and strong (clearly separated secondary images), meaning the extra thickness on the date is confirmable under moderate magnification but does not produce the visual separation seen on strong Lincoln cent doubled dies. The concentration of doubling strength on the first two digits — the "20" — while the remaining digits show less pronounced thickening, suggests the hub misalignment was greatest in the left portion of the date area, diminishing toward the right. Collectors should first locate the diagnostic die gouge below the W in WE to confirm the correct die, then examine the date under 10-15x magnification, comparing the stroke widths of the "20" against confirmed normal dies from the same year.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2020 1¢ WDDO-010

External References