2021 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-012

Description

Twelfth in the Wexler-documented obverse doubled die census for the 2021 Lincoln Shield cent, WDDO-012 shows extra thickness on LIBERTY with a particularly diagnostic feature: the upper left of the Y in LIBERTY is considerably thicker than the upper right of the Y. This asymmetric thickening pattern reveals the direction of hub displacement — the secondary impression shifted in a direction that reinforced the upper left stroke of the Y while leaving the upper right stroke at normal thickness, creating an immediately recognizable visual asymmetry within a single letter. The Wexler Team documented one obverse die marker — a die crack running north from the front of Lincoln's eyebrow — while the reverse showed no significant markers. Die cracks on the obverse develop as the die fatigues through repeated striking cycles, and their progressive nature means the crack likely grew longer in later die states, potentially providing die state information for collectors who compare crack length against documented progression. Philadelphia struck approximately 3.40 billion Shield cents in 2021, a massive production volume that generated hundreds of working die pairs and correspondingly numerous opportunities for hub doubling events. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 2021 1¢ WDDO-012, with no additional attribution system listings currently known. The asymmetric Y diagnostic is particularly valuable because it provides a single-letter quick-check that collectors can perform at moderate magnification before committing to a full inscription examination — if the upper left of the Y appears noticeably heavier than the upper right, the specimen warrants closer scrutiny for WDDO-012. The eyebrow die crack serves as a secondary confirmation point, its location on the prominent facial feature of V.D. Brenner's Lincoln portrait making it readily locatable under 10x magnification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wilbert Anderson Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2021 1¢ WDDO-012
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References