1969-S 1¢ WDDO-001          "Best Of" Variety

Description:  A very strong Class I CCW spread shows on the letters of LIBERTY, IGWT, and the date.

Die Markers:  Obverse:  A short die scratch runs east from the upper right T of LIBERTY.  Reverse:  Strong die scratches run ENE from the top of the T in UNITED.  A die scratch curves NNW from the upper right N in CENT.  X-Shaped die scratches can be found between the E and P of EPU.  Die scratches run ESE from the bottoms of the R and I in AMERICA.  Numerous other die scratches can be found throughout the reverse of this variety.

Submitted By:  Stewart Blay

Cross References:  CONECA: 1-O-I, Cherrypickers’ Guide: FS-01-1969S-101 (028), Breen: #2252, Crawford: CDDO-001, Coppercoins: 1969S-1DO-001

Comments:  This doubled die variety was the subject of a great deal of controversy when it was first discovered.  This was due to the fact that there was an attempt at that time to produce a counterfeit 1969 P-Mint doubled die variety.  As part of the investigation into the counterfeiting effort and the subsequent prosecution of the case, the genuine 1969-S doubled die cents were initially confiscated by the Secret Service and the United States Mint and were also declared to be counterfeit.  Ultimatey the 1969-S doubled die cents were deemed to be genuine and returned to their owners, but not before five of the original specimens were destroyed.

For much more information on this amazing story we recommend that you read the full details in the "Hot Topics" section of The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents - Second Edition which is available for sale elsewhere on this website.

Collectors also need to be aware that numerous 1969-S Lincoln cents have been found that show the common form of doubling known as mechanical doubling.  These frequently confuse collectors into thinking that they have the major doubled die variety.  Mechanical doubling is characterized by flat, shelf-like secondary images that usually affect the date and mint mark.  When both the date and the mint mark show the same type of doubling, you can be relatively sure that you do not have the major doubled die variety.  During this period of time the mint mark was hand punched into the working die after all of the other design elements were already in place.  For more information on mechanical doubling and to see an example of mechanical doubling on a 1969-S cent we recommend that you go to the Mechanical Doubling doubling page of this website.

Specimens of the major 1969-S doubled die were recently found in some original bank-wrapped rolls of 1969-S cents proving that it is still possible to find specimens of this variety with a lot of searching and a little bit of luck.

1969-S 1¢ WDDO-002          "Best Of" Variety

Description:  A CW spread, probably from a tilted hub, shows on the top right side of the first 9, the lower half of the 6, and slightly on the top of the second 9.

Die Markers:  Obverse:  A short die gouge extends ESE from the rim to the right of the top of the N of IN.  Reverse:  A strong die scratch runs from SW to NE between the upper parts of the left vertical bar and the diagonal bar of the N in CENT.  Numerous other die scratches can be found throughout the reverse.

Submitted By:  Jose’ Cortez

Cross References:  CONECA: 2-O-V, Coppercoins: 1969S-1DO-003

1969-S 1¢ WDDR-001

Description:  A spread to the west shows on EPU and the dots with the strongest spread on the E of EPU and the left dots.  A spread towards the rim shows on the lower letters of USA and the upper letters of ONE CENT with the strongest spread showing on the T in CENT.

Die Markers:  Obverse:  None significant.  Reverse:  A die gouge (dot) can be found below the left side of the E in UNITED.

Submitted By:  Peter Beane & Jennifer Casazza with a color photo upgrade from John Amato & Bob Gittis

Cross References:  Coppercoins: 1969S-1DR-001P, CONECA: 3-R-IV+VIII

1969-S 1¢ Pr WDDR-002

Description:  A strong spread towards the center shows on ONE CENT and the designer’s initials.  A light spread towards the center shows on USA, EPU, and the dots.  The strongest spread shows on the lower half of the reverse.

Die Markers:  Obverse:  A light die scratch runs SSW from the bottom of the first 9 in the date.  Reverse:  None significant.

Submitted By:  Tony Chambrone

Cross References:  None known