Wexler's Coins and Die Varieties

This page was last updated on February 25, 2010.

BULLETIN: We are currently working on the doubled die chapter, the RPM chapter, and the OMM chapter for an upcoming book with Kevin Flynn entitled The Authoritative Reference on Washington Quarters 1932 - 1998. We need coins to photograph for these chapters. Please see the new Help Wanted page for additional details.

The purpose of this page is to provide you with some of the latest news about die varieties and error coins. Items on this page are not permanent postings. Check back often!

Die variety collector Joseph Koelling reported finding a specimen of the 1930-S Lincoln cent obverse doubled die listed as 1930-S 1¢ WDDO-001 at a coin show he recently attended. The coin was in a PCGS slab graded MS64, but it was not identified as a doubled die on the slab.

Koelling notes that he was able to purchase the coin for $25 and was able to identify the variety thanks to the information in The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cent - Second Edition (ARLC-2) which he recently purchased. Koelling had the coin reslabbed in an ANACS holder where it is now properly identified as the doubled die variety.

ARLC-2 lists the variety at $150 for MS63 and $250 for MS65RD. The ANACS slab notes Koelling's coin to be MS64RD yielding him a nice return for his $25 investment.

Joseph Koelling found this nice doubled die in a PCGS holder that did not identify it as a doubled die variety. It certainly is a nice addition to his doubled die collection.

Our listing for 2009 1¢ EC WDDR-084 has been changed! It was discovered by die variety collector Lucy Ginden that the variety we had listed as 2009 1¢ EC WDDR-084 was actually the same variety as 2009 1¢ EC WDDR-017. Upon receiving her findings we did a side-by-side examination of the varieties and quickly confirmed Lucy's findings.

As a result, we have deleted that original listing for 2009 1¢ EC WDDR-084 and have replaced it with a new variety submitted by Lucy. I don't know how I missed it during the original attribution, but it goes to prove that even we are human and make mistakes. We apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused and we thank Lucy Ginden for catching it. You can view the new listing on the page with all of the other 2009 Early Childhood Lincoln Cent doubled die varieties. (Posted January 29, 2010)

A new RPM book based on the Wexler Die Variety Files is on the way and for a limited time you can obtain a copy with a special prepublication offer. The first volume of The Comprehensive Guide to Lincoln Cent Repunched Mint Mark Varieties published in 2002 dealt with the Lincoln Wheat cent RPMs from 1909 to 1939. That volume was well received and since then collectors have been clamoring for more.

The new volume The Comprehensive Guide to Lincoln Memorial Cent Repunched Mint Mark Varieties: 1959 will be the first volume issued for the Lincoln Memorial cents. It will feature all of the RPM varieties listed for 1959 in the Wexler RPM Files. Currently there are 111 listings for that one date alone. Those 111 listings are more than any other attributer.

By printing a book for the first year of the Lincoln Memorial cents, the authors will now be able to continue the Lincoln Wheat cent series and the Lincoln Memorial cent series simultaneously. This book is being sold in hardbound copies only. Thanks to great deal from the printers, the book can be printed in hardbound copies at the same cost as softbound copies so a decision was made to print all hardbound copies.

The pages are printed on attractive high quality 70 pound acid-free opaque paper. The book is 260 pages with nearly 1,100 photos and illustrations. Some of the features of this book include: A forward by Albert B. Raddi; Photos and descriptions of all die markers, including stage markers; Die marriage changes; Grade pricing for all RPMs; Cherrypickers’ Guide and CONECA cross-references when known; A grading guide; Die marker terms as well as navigation directions and explanations.

The special pre-pub offer for this book is $39.95 which will include the cost of shipping (via media mail) until February 28, 2010. If Priority Mail shipping is desired, it will require an extra $5 for the additional postage costs. Once the pre-pub sale is over, the shipping costs will be at the current postal rates. Books should be available for shipping in early March.

If making payment through the mail, please send a check or money order to: John A. Wexler, P.O. Box 544, Quakertown, PA 18951-0544. Payment can also be made via PayPal. If paying through PayPal, please use jwex@comcast.net as my PayPal e-mail address. If you write first, I can send a PayPal invoice for your convenience.

All copies of the books ordered through John A. Wexler will be autographed!!!

Dealer inquiries should all be made to NCADD President John Bordner. Mr. Bordner can be contacted by e-mail at jwb209@epix.net or by writing to: John W. Bordner, P.O. Box 15, Lykens, PA 17048.

A large die chip error on the left end of the roof of the Capitol building has been reported by Frank Trout. Normally die chip errors are not of any interest other than as die markers for die varieties such as doubled dies, but the one submitted by Mr. Trout is unusually large for an interior die chip.

This large die chip error on the left end of the roof of the Capitol building was submitted by Frank Trout. It was the first error reported to us for the 2009 Presidency in Washington Lincoln cents.

We have also received the first reported doubled dies for the 2009 Presidency in Washington (PW) Lincoln cents. Marilyn Keeney has submitted the first obverse doubled die for this series as well as the first reverse doubled die for the series. We hope to have these new listings photographed and up on this site sometime within the next day or two.

The Second Edition of The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents has arrived from the printers. If you ordered a copy through John A. Wexler, those copies were mailed on December 7, 2009. Those who ordered Priority Mail shipping should have their books within two to three days while those who ordered Media Mail shipping will have to wait for a longer period of time until they arrive. (Posted December 7, 2009)

Die variety collector Joseph Koelling has reported obtaining a 1999 Lincoln cent with the "Wide AM" reverse variety on a coin that was struck about 5% off center. Koelling submitted the coin to ANACS and it came back slabbed as an MS64. The coin was obtained by Koelling from error/variety specialist and dealer Ken Potter. Potter reportedly cherrypicked the coin from a dealer's table at a coin show.

The "Wide AM" variety is a popular name given to circulation strike Lincoln cents struck in 1998, 1999, and 2000 that have the reverse design intended for proof coins. The normal reverse design for circulation strike Lincoln cents struck from 1993 through 2008 has the bottoms of the A and M in AMERICA almost touching (Close AM) while the proof coins from 1994 through 2008 have the A and M of AMERICA much more widely separated (Wide AM).

The Wide AM circulation strike Lincoln cents are by far the rarest for the three years in which they are known to exist. 28 different working dies are recorded in the Wexler Die Variety Files for 1998 that show the Wide AM reverse. 23 different working dies are recorded in the Wexler Die Variety Files for 2000 that show the Wide AM reverse. However, only 4 working dies are known for 1999 that have the Wide AM reverse. Koelling's off center 1999 Wide AM cent is from the working die listed in the Wexler Die Variety Files as 1999 1¢ WWAM-002.

There is yet another twist to this interesting error/variety coin. The 1999 Lincoln cent reverse working die used to strike specimens of 1999 1¢ WWAM-002 was apparently used at the end of the year. When it came time to change over to the production of year 2000 Lincoln cents, the obverse die with the 1999 date was removed from the coining press, but the reverse die was left in the press. A new obverse die for the year 2000 was installed and production resumed. Consequently, Wide AM coins were produced for both 1999 and 2000 from the same reverse working die. The year 2000 Wide AM reverse from this working die is listed in the Wexler Die Variety Files as 2000 1¢ WWAM-017.

Three stages are currently known for this Wide AM reverse die. Stage A has the 1999 obverse and the Wide AM reverse shows a single strong clash mark at the top of the 7th Memorial bay along with a long die clash mark in the field above the left end of the Memorial. Stage B has the 1999 obverse and has multiple die clash marks at the top of the 7th bay. Stage C has the year 2000 obverse die and the same reverse die markers as Stage B.

Koelling's 1999 off center version of this interesting variety is from Stage A. I suspect that a set containing all three stages of this reverse die would be extremely difficult to put together. Throw in the off center coin and such a set would be outstanding. (Posted December 4, 2009)

Here we see the ANACS slab containing Joe Koelling's Stage A specimen of the 1999 Wide AM Lincoln cent variety listed as 1999 1¢ WWAM-002. Photo courtesy of Joseph Koelling.

This photo gives a better shot of the amount that the obverse of the cent is off center. Photo courtesy of Joseph Koelling.

Here we have a nice shot of the off center reverse. Photo courtesy of Joseph Koelling.

This photo from Joseph Koelling clearly shows the Wide AM separation at the bottom of the A and M of AMERICA.

The designer's initials are another clear indicator for the Wide AM reverse variety. They are markedly different on the normal Close AM design for 1999 circulation strike cents. Photo courtesy of Joseph Koelling.

This single die clash mark is a key die marker for Stage A specimens of 1999 1¢ WWAM-002.

Look for this die clash marker on all three stages of the 1999 Close AM variety listed as 1999 1¢ WWAM-002. Stage C is found on year 2000 Lincoln cents and that stage is listed as 2000 1¢ WWAM-017.

These multiple die clash marks at the top of the 7th bay are found on Stage B specimens of 1999 1¢ WWAM-002.

According to a recent post at Coppercoins.com, and also a thread on the site's forum, chief attributer for the site Charles (Chuck) Daughtrey will no longer be attributing die varieties for the site. Daughtrey notes that the decision could very well be permanent.

Daughtrey sites the need to make a living and notes that "the charge for attributing coins is not worth the time it takes to do it. Often we end up with less than half of minimum wage for this service, and I cannot afford to continue."

He also notes that "the original purpose for developing this site ten years ago was to not only give people a visual reference of what was out there, but also to get my own collection in order and documented. Still yet I have less than 25% of my own collection documented because of the attention I have placed on everyone else's coins.

Another part of it is that I have simply lost interest. Most of what has been reported of late is stuff that I would have no interest in collecting. Doubled columns, minor wavy steps, and minor doubled eyelids might do it for some people, but I don't see anything collectible in them at all, and really don't have interest in spending hours of my time trying to identify them for other people. I just find it disinteresting."

Robert J. Piazza, who also does attributions for Coppercoins, will continue to do attributions for the site.

To view the announcement regarding Daughtrey's stepping down, you can go to the Coppercoins.com website by clicking on the following link: http://www.coppercoins.com/.

To read the forum thread in which Daughtrey's decision is discussed, click on the following link: http://www.coppercoins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5344&sid=cca5ac95edc2cfbfc7.

We wish Chuck the best with his hobby endeavors and thank him for his many years of service and dedication to the hobby. (Posted November 27, 2009)

According to John Bordner, President of The National Collectors Association of Die Doubling (NCADD), the die variety specialty club is in the process of putting together a new website. The original website at www.geocities.com/ncadd/ is no longer functional since Yahoo/Geocities closed its doors and no longer offers a free web hosting service.

NCADD decided not to go with another free hosting service. Rather, they purchased four years of service with Just Host Web Hosting. Bordner noted that the service has been ranked high in most reviews and even ranks #1 in some.

The new site for the organization can be accessed at http://ncadd98.org/. Those visiting the site should check back often as the site will continue to grow.

Bordner also noted that a site currently located at www.ncadd.us is not an official club website. It was started by an NCADD member who wanted to be the webmaster for the organization, but failed to keep the site updated. (Posted November 23, 2009)

John A. Wexler has announced a change to the fee structure for attributions done for the Wexler Die Variety Files. The fees for attributions had been $5 per coin for non-NCADD members, and $3 per coin for NCADD members. Postage and insurance was extra.

The newly announced fee is set at $3 per coin for all attributions. This fee change brings the Wexler Die Variety File attribution fees in line with most of the other leading die variety attributers in the hobby. Postage and insurance is still extra and all other attribution guidelines remain the same. The complete list of attribution guidelines for the Wexler Die Variety Files can be accessed on the Collector Resources page of this website. (Posted November 23, 2009)

According to information provided by Wayne Meyers, viewers of television's Home Shopping Network have had the opportunity to purchase specimens of the 2009 Formative Years Lincoln Cent doubled die variety listed as 2009 1¢ FY WDDR-002 on at least two separate occasions. The variety has been popularly referred to as the "Doubled Thumb" variety.

In one sale MS67RED specimens encapsulated by ANACS were being sold for $129.95 and all of the coins were sold. It is uncertain how many specimens were available in that first sale.

In a second offering 200 MS65RED, also encapsulated by ANACS, were sold for $89.95 each. Again all specimens of the variety were sold. In both sales the slabbed coins came in a special red wooden box along with a "Collector's Journal" that illustrates and explains the variety.

To view the results page (no video) for the first sale, just click the following link: http://www.hsn.com/collectibles/2009-lincoln-formative-years-double-thumb-ms67-red-error-coin_p-5794315_xp.aspx.

To view a video of the second sale, click on the following link: http://www.hsn.com/collectibles/2009-lincoln-formative-years-in-indiana-double-thumb-ms65-red-error-coin_pf-192344_xp.aspx?rdr=1&sourceid=youtube&cm_mmc=advsvc*youtube*na*192344. (Posted November 23, 2009)

On October 1, 2009 I had the privilege of having a telephone conversation with George Shue, Senior Advisor in Manufacturing at the U.S. Mint. My primary goal for the telephone conversation was to determine whether or not my recollections of the single-squeeze hubbing process as it took place at the Philadelphia Mint during a 1998 tour were correct. I also hoped to find out whether or not the process was still the same today.

I was pleased to learn from Mr. Shue that my observations of the process during a Coin World sponsored tour of the Philadelphia Mint in 1998 were accurate and that the process is still essentially the same. The only difference is that they now use a spring loaded collar to hold the working die blank and the working hub (or working hub blank and master die). It was gratifying to learn that the old memory was still working properly.

During this conversation the 2009-D Washington D.C. quarter with a major doubled die reverse came up. Mr. Shue noted that the Mint was aware of this doubled die error and how it occurred. This particular doubled die resulted when a hubbing press operator stopped one of the single-squeeze hubbing presses to realign the hub and die and then restarted the hubbing sequence. In the process a rotational misalignment of images resulted. Mr. Shue further noted that the Mint was able to reproduce the error in a test to see what caused the doubled image originally.

The Mint acknowledged that they were aware of this Washington D.C. quarter doubled die which is listed as 2009-D 25¢ DC WDDR-001. They were able to reproduce the error in tests to see what caused it and noted that it was a rotational alignment error making it a Class I doubled die and not a Class VIII doubled die variety.

The conversation further revealed that the Mint was aware that even though it was contrary to policy, hubbing press operators were taking it upon themselves to sometimes stop the single-squeeze hubbing presses before the hubbing was completed to make adjustments, and then restarting the press to complete the hubbing. To prevent doubled dies like the 2009-D Washington D.C. quarter from happening again the Mint has installed “locks” on the hubbing presses. Now if a hubbing press operator stops the press before the hubbing is completed, they will be unable to restart the press until a supervisor comes to inspect everything to make sure that things are reset properly. The supervisor will then “unlock” the press so that the hubbing can be completed.

In view of this new information from the Mint, we will be updating our listing for the 2009-D 25c DC WDDR-001 listing from a Class VIII (Tilted Hub Doubling) designation to a Class I (Rotated Hub Doubling) designation. Rather than being the result of a tilted hub or die (Class VIII), the error was produced in exactly the same manner as the Class I doubled dies produced during the multiple-squeeze hubbing era. The only difference is that the die was not annealed between the impressions as it was during the multiple-squeeze hubbing era.

In an unrelated topic, the subject of how many times modern proof coins are struck was discussed. It had been my understanding that proof coins are struck twice, however, I was informed that this is only partially true. It turns out that the number of times that a proof coins is struck depends on the metal content of the planchets being struck. Copper and clad proof coins are struck twice. Silver proof coins are struck three times. Platinum proof coins are struck nine times.

I was also informed that on the newer coining presses used to strike proof coins the die does not come away from the coin after the first strike. A clamp pulls the ram back while the die remains in contact with the coin. The ram is then released to make the next strike of the die into the coin and the process is repeated to complete the number of strikes needed for that particular coin.

In the older coining presses the die retracted from the coin along with the ram. When subsequent strikes were made a shift in the die or the struck coin would result in flat, shelf-like doubling (mechanical doubling) on the proof coins. Some strong examples of this type of doubling are known to exist for some proof coins. The newer presses on which the die does not retract with the ram have minimized the likelihood that mechanical doubling will be found on the newer proof coins. (Posted November 18, 2009)

It isn't very often that we see a clashed die error that gets us excited, but Michael Forader has succeeded. Michael submitted a 2009 Early Childhood Lincoln cent with what we have to describe as a major die clash error. The amount of reverse detail seen on the obverse of the coin is remarkable.

A bold impression of the long cabin window is seen at the chin, lips, and nose. To the right of that a clear impression of the left side of the cabin can be seen. A bold image of the letter N of UNUM which is inverted and reversed can be found in the field just to the right of Lincoln's eyebrow. The inverted and reversed letters BUS of PLURIBUS show clearly on Lincoln's head between the upper ear and his eye. Protruding from the back of his head we can see the inverted and reversed letter L from PLURIBUS. On the collar and to the right of the neck and bowtie we can clearly see the lines from the roof of the cabin.

Not as many clash marks can be seen on the reverse but the inside of the long window clearly shows Lincoln's lips and chin corresponding with what is seen on the obverse clash marks.

Clashed die errors occur when a blank planchet fails to feed into the coining chamber and the obverse and reverse dies strike each other rather than striking a planchet. As a result, part of the obverse design is left on the reverse die and part of the reverse design is left on the obverse die. The greater the striking pressure, the stronger the clash marks will be. Forader's Early Childhood cent suggests that stronger than normal striking pressures were being used at this point, perhaps in an effort to extend the useful life of the dies.

When the coining press operators become aware that a clash has occured, the coining press is stopped and the dies removed for inspection. At this point the dies will be abraded to remove as much of the clash marks as possible. If the clash is too severe, one or both of the dies may be replaced. Clash marks that have not yet been abraded in an attempt to remove them are sometimes referred to as "Virgin Clash Marks." Forader's Early Childhood die clash error certain qualifies for that designation. (Posted November 18, 2009)

Here we have a broad view of the strong die clash marks seen on Michael Forader's 2009 Early Childhood Lincoln cent. Most notable are the inverted and reversed N of UNUM to the right of the eye and the bold impression of the cabin's long window running partially through Lincoln's lips and chin.

This photo gives us a closer look at the inverted and reversed N of UNUM to the right of Lincoln's eye and the inverted and reversed S of PLURIBUS to the left of Lincoln's eye.

Here we clearly see the inverted and reversed BUS of PLURIBUS found on Lincoln's head on the 2009 Early Childhood die clash error submitted by Michael Forader.

1996 was probably the last year for production of Lincoln cents on the multiple-squeeze hubbing presses in Philadelphia. In 1996 the Denver Mint die shop opened with the new single-squeeze hubbing presses and Philadelphia followed the year after.

One of the nicer Lincoln cent doubled dies to come out of the Philadelphia Mint in 1996 was the variety that we have listed in the Wexler Doubled Die Files as 1996 1¢ WDDO-005. It shows a very nice CW spread on IN GOD WE TRUST and the date.

Joseph Koelling was fortunate enough to find a circulated specimen of the variety while searching rolls of cents obtained from one of his local banks. 1996 1¢ WDDO-005 is not only one of the nicest 1996 Lincoln cent doubled die varieties, but it is also one of the scarcest with few specimens being reported since the original discovery. While everyone is off searching the 2009 Lincoln cents for doubled dies, Koelling's find emphasizes the fact that all Lincoln cents should be searched for die varieties. (Posted November 12, 2009)

A nice clockwise spread shows on the letters of TRUST on the specimen of 1996 1¢ WDDO-005 submitted by Joseph Koelling.

The doubling does not show readily on all digits of this specimen of 1996 1¢ WDDO-005 because it is circulated, but the doubling is readily visible on the 6.

As the search for 2009 Lincoln cent doubled dies continues as strong as ever, other errors on the Commemorative series of cents continue to trickle in.

Michael Forader submitted a 2009 Early Childhood cent with what looks like a struck through error on first glance. However, closer examination shows that the error is raised on the coin rather than being incuse or indented.

Struck through errors occur when some foreign matter (string, wire, metal fragments, grease, etc.) comes between the die and the planchet at the time that the coin is struck. An incuse impression of the foreign matter is left on the surface of the coin.

Since the error on Forader's cent is raised, it suggests that the foreign matter left an impression in the die. An exact duplicate of this error was also submitted by Marilyn Keeney. Since the planchet metal is relatively soft it suggests that the foreign matter came between the dies when they were going to clash leaving the impression of the foreign object in both the obverse and reverse dies. Since the obverse does not show any evidence of the foreign object, it was probably removed from service after the clash while the reverse was still deemed to be usable since the error image is in the cabin's log and could easily appear as part of the design itself.

The error indicated by the arrows is raised on the coin indicating that it (probably a piece of wire) was struck into the die itself.

Marilyn Keeney submitted a typical struck through error on a 2009 Early Childhood cent. It shows an incuse curved line to the left of the bowtie on the obverse. It looks like a piece of wire came between the obverse die and the planchet at the time that the coin was struck.

Some really nice die clash errors have been reported for the 2009 Lincoln cents. The latest to cross our desk is on the obverse of a 2009 Professional Life cent submitted by Sandy Jarvis and Marilyn Keeney.

Most of the clash marks seen on the obverse are clashed images from the windows in the Capitol building on the reverse. The reverse also has some clash marks, but none are as prominent as those seen on the obverse. (Posted November 12, 2009)

A 2000-P Sacagawea Dollar variety known as the "Speared Eagle" or sometimes as the "Wounded Eagle" has been known for some time. It is listed in Volume 2 of the 4th Edition of The Cherrypickers' Guide To Rare Die Varieties where it carries the listing number FS-$1-2000P-901. The "variety" has two strong die gouges passing through the lower body of the eagle near the back of the wings. With a little imagination one could view the larger of the die gouges as a "spear" hence the nickname "Speared Eagle".

Martin W.Pokojski submitted a specimen of this 2000-P dollar variety along with another 2000-P Sacagawea dollar showing a die gouge on the obverse protruding from the bottom of Sacagawea's neck. The die gouge is not as large as that seen on the "Speared Eagle" variety and it will be interesting to see whether or not it catches on with collectors like the reverse variety did. While we are not personally interested in die gouge errors and do not list them, the two coins could make an interesting set. (Posted November 12, 2009)

This 2000-P Sacagawea dollar submitted by Martin W. Pokojski is an example of the so-called "Speared Eagle" variety showing a strong die gouge passing through the lower back of the eagle.

This 2000-P Sacagawea dollar which was also submitted by Martin W. Pokojski shows two die gouges extending ENE from the front of the Sacagawea's neck.

Die variety collector Jerry Lykins was fortunate enough to find an Inverted Mint Mark variety on a 1946-S Lincoln cent. The 1946-S Lincoln cents are known to have three different styles of S mint marks. They come in a "Sans Serif" style, a "Serif" style, and a "Ball Serif" style.

The inverted mint mark on Lykins 1946-S cent bears an inverted "Ball Serif" mint mark. Normally the ball or rounded serif on this style mint mark is found at the top of the S. The inverted version of the mint mark shows the ball or rounded serif at the bottom of the mint mark.

Inverted mint marks are a relatively new area of variety collecting that seems to be catching on with collectors. The list of known inverted mint mark varieties is small, but growing.

Suspected new inverted mint mark varieties should be reported to John Bordner who maintains the Wexler Die Variety Mint Mark Files. Mr. Bordner can be reached via e-mail at jwb209@epix.net or by snail mail at: John Border, P.O. Box 15, Lykens, PA 17048-0015. (Posted November 12, 2009)

This 1946-S Lincoln cent from Jerry Lykins shows an Inverted Mint Mark variety. The "Ball" serif seen at the bottom of the mint mark is normally seen at the top of the mint mark. The following photo shows a normally punched Ball Serif mint mark.

Compare this photo of a normally punched Ball Serif mint mark to the preceding photo which shows the same mint mark style, but inverted.

A major error on a 2009 Formative Years Lincoln cent has been reported by Joseph Koelling. Koelling reports obtaining the error from Jim Casey.

The error, known as a "Finned Rim" error, was caused when excessive striking pressure was used, most likely in an attempt to extend the life of the die. The excess striking pressure caused the planchet metal to squeeze out of the collar that retains the planchet during the striking process.

The error was submitted by Koelling for encapsulation and came back graded as an MS66. The photos of the error coin prior to slabbing are courtesy of Jim Casey. The photo of the encapsulated error is courtesy of Joseph Koelling. (Posted November 11, 2009)

Extremely him rims can be seen on this 2009 Formative Years Lincoln cent submitted by Joseph Koelling.

Here we see the coin after it was slabbed by NGC.

An interesting new discovery on an old Lincoln cent RPM listing has been reported by NCADD President John Bordner. The variety in question is the 1954-S Lincoln cent RPM variety listed as WRPM-004 - an S/S North. John Bordner is the official RPM attributer for the Wexler Die Variety Files.

Here we see the 1954-S Lincoln cent RPM variety listed as WRPM-004.

Bordner took a closer look at the variety when he received a question as to whether or not it might be an S punched over an inverted S. An examination quickly revealed that it is not a S over an inverted S, but did show that there is more to this variety than first meets the eye.

Checking the 1954-S Lincoln cent mint marks closely, Bordner found that there are at least two different style mint marks used on the 1954-S cents. One mint mark variety shows the upper serif almost touching the front center of the mint mark (Close Serif) and the other shows a much wider opening between the upper serif and the center front of the mint mark (Wide Open Serif).

Shooting photos of the two mint mark styles for the 1954-S cents and then doing an overlay of the two styles, Bordner was able to come up with compelling evidence that the 1954-S 1¢ WRPM-004 is actually a Close Serif mint mark punched over a Wide Open Serif mint mark. The listing in the Wexler Die Variety Files was updated to reflect these findings. (Posted November 11, 2009)

This is the Wide Open Serif style mint mark found on 1954-S Lincoln cents.

This is the Close Serif style mint mark found on 1954-S Lincoln cents.

This overlay produced by John Bordner is a match for what is seen on 1954-S 1¢ WRPM-004. All photos seen here are courtesy of John Bordner.

The Wexler RPM Files have long contained a listing for 1950-D 1¢ WRPM-005 in which the variety has been listed as a D/Horizontal D. However, to this point the Wexler Die Variety Files have been the only files listing the variety in this fashion.

Bruce Baker submitted a specimen of the variety purchased from G.J. Lawson to die variety specialist Billy G. Crawford. This specimen so clearly showed that it is indeed a D/Horizontal D that Crawford now has it listed as such in his "C" Files. Whether or not it will be acknowledged as such in the CONECA Files is undetermined at this time. CONECA lists the variety as a D/D Southwest and rotated. (Posted November 11, 2009)

This photo of 1950-D 1¢ WRPM-005 clearly shows that the underlying D is a horizontal D. Photo courtesy of Billy G. Crawford.

An overlay of a horizontal D created by Billy G. Crawford adds further proof that the underlying mint mark is indeed a horizontal D.

Large die cracks continue to plague the 2009 Formative Years Lincoln cents. Marilyn Keeney and Leroy Putt submitted a 2009 Formative Years cent that shows a long die crack that runs from the rim through the front of the right boot and it ends just to the right of the mallet head. The length and strength of the die crack suggest that it may have turned into a "terminal die crack" that ultimately led to the die breaking and being removed from service.

Struck through errors also continue to surface for the 2009 Formative Years cents. Marilyn Keeney found one that shows two different struck through errors on the reverse of the same coin. The first is a very long and deep curving indentation that starts at the RICA of AMERICA and curves down to the rim just to the right of the designer's initials. As it arcs downward it gets wider and deeper. A separate struck through error on the same coin can be found at the upper E and N of CENT.

Rhonda Snyder also found a struck through error on a 2009 Formative Years cent. Hers shows a nice indentation just below the left hand. It affects the upper right leg and the left knee.

Leroy Putt submitted a proof set in which the American Samoa quarter shows a large struck through error on the reverse. It runs through the MOA of SAMOA and also affects the field and design elements blow the AMOA of SAMOA. We had some glare problems shooting through the Mint plastic of the proof set, but the photo we got should give you the idea for this one.

The 2009 Formative Years cents have been plagued with occluded gas bubbles and when these begin to crack and break open we end up with lamination errors. Gary Young found a 2009 Formative years cent that has an extremely long occluded gas bubble line that runs down the reverse from the D in UNITED through the mallet head to the rim. What can't be seen in the photo is the fact that the gas line in cracking open in some places forming lamination errors along the line.

Gary Young found another 2009 Formative years cent with a similar occluded gas and lamination line that runs horizontally across the bottom of the reverse passing through the bottom of the left boot. To make things sweeter, the obverse has a large die crack that runs from the rim to the right of the B in V.D.B. It arcs NW through the B and then branches into two separate die cracks. One runs along the top of the V.D.B. and then swings NW while the other die crack runs north.

Now that folks are staring to search their 2009 Professional Life cents for doubled dies they are staring to find some other errors on that series as well. Marilyn Keeney submitted a 2009 Professional Life cent that shows two interesting errors. It has very large die breaks in the last column of windows on the right end of the state capitol building on the reverse. The reverse also sports a long heavy die crack running from the rim through the top of the T in CENT. It is another die crack that has the potential to become terminal.

Die gouges seldom get us excited and usually just serve as die markers for listable die varieties. Russell McTindal found one on the reverse of a 2009 Professional Life cent that is an exception. Russell's coin has an unusually long and deep vertical die gouge to the left of the upper dome structure along with another long die gouge between the first two columns on the left of the dome structure. Other die gouge spikes protrude from the top of this structure making for a very interesting error coin.

All of these errors serve to remind us that as we search our 2009 dated coins for the interesting doubled die varieties that are being found it is important that we not limit our searching to the "target areas" for each coin. If we do, we may miss some other interesting and potentially valuable errors. (Posted September 12, 2009)