Description: An
extremely close Class I CW spread shows on the letters of LIBERTY, IGWT, and
the horizontal bar of the 2 in the date.
On early die state specimens the E of WE appears to show tripling
suggesting a CCW spread in addition to the CW spread.
Die Markers: Obverse: The affected master die shows a short die
gouge extending eastward inside the upper S of TRUST. Other obverse die markers will vary with the
different working dies that were affected.
Reverse: Die markers will vary with the different
working dies that were affected.
Submitted By:
John A. Wexler
Cross References: None known
Values: No extra value
Comments:
Shortly after the various obverse doubled die cent varieties were
produced that year, the Lincoln cent master die for 1972 failed and a new one
had to be produced. Clearly the Mint was having problems that year with
the hubbing process as was evidenced by the many doubled die varieties
produced. Those problems carried over to the second master die that was
produced for the Lincoln cents that year. That second master die was
produced with minor doubling. It is estimated that the doubled master die
was created somewhere around April or May of 1972. All of the Lincoln
cents struck by working dies that descended from the doubled master die show
this minor doubling. The doubling can be
seen on the letters of IGWT, the letters of LIBERTY, and very slightly on the
date. Since 60% to 70% of all Lincoln cents for 1972 show this doubling,
it is far too common to have any value. This includes 1972 P-Mint,
S-Mint, and proof coins produced that year.
Newer doubled die collectors should be very careful if responding to ads
for 1972 doubled die Lincoln cents. There are individuals out there
trying to sell specimens of this doubled master die for premiums far in excess
of what they should be. You should not be paying more than the normal
numismatic value of a 1972 cent for 1972 cents with this master die
doubling. Those trying to sell them to unsuspecting buyers advertise them
as “genuine doubled dies” which they are. The ads are truthful in that
respect, but they fail to tell you that it is a specimen of the doubled master
die that can easily be found without paying a premium for it. Back when
they were first listed they were assigned a listing number of 1972 1¢
MD-5-O-I+II. Those trying to sell them at a premium identify them as
“5-O-I+II” but they leave off the master die indicator “MD.” If you are fairly new to doubled die
collecting, don’t let yourself fall victim to these scams. If you would
like to add a specimen of the doubled master die to your collection for
educational purposes, go out and look for them yourself. Since the
majority of 1972 cents show this doubling, you should easily find one for the
cost of a “regular” 1972 Lincoln cent.
1972-D 1¢ WDDO-001 "Best Of" Variety
Description: A nice Class I CCW spread shows on the letters of LIBERTY, IGWT, and the date.
Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: EDS. No markers noted. Obverse Stage B: A die scratch runs NNE from the top of the R in LIBERTY to the back of the head. A die scratch runs from SSW to NNE through the bottom right of the R in LIBERTY. Parallel die scratches run from SSW to NNE just to the right of the lips. Faint clash marks can be found in the field to the left of the neck and shoulder as well as below the chin. A die scratch runs north from the top of the 9 in the date. Obverse Stage C: Same as Stage B. Obverse Stage D: Same as Stage C. Obverse Stage E: A die gouge can be found SE of the 2nd T in TRUST. A die gouge can be found above the left side of the 2 in the date. Reverse Stage A: EDS. No markers noted. Reverse Stage B: A die clash of the Y in LIBERTY can be found inverted in the 1st Memorial bay. A die scratch runs ESE from the lower 1st S of STATES. Three die scratches curve SW from the underside of the lower N in CENT. Other die scratches can be found throughout the reverse. Reverse Stage C: A die chip can be found on the right cornice. A pre-die chip depression can be found next to the right cornice. Reverse Stage D: A new reverse die is paired with the obverse die. A small die gouge can be found above the right cornice. Reverse Stage E: A die gouge can be found on the Memorial roof north of the 2nd bay. A short die scratch runs from SSW to NNE to the right of the upper T in CENT.
Submitted By: Stage A: Gordon Harnack, Stage B & C: John A. Wexler, Stage D: Ken Potter, Stage E: Frank Baumann
Comments: Early die state specimens of this variety should command higher premiums. If you have a high grade early die state (Stage A) specimen that is not slabbed, I would like to see it so that I can upgrade my photo files for that stage.
Stage B
Stage D
Stage E
1972-D 1¢ WDDO-002 "Best Of" Variety
Description: A nice Class I CW spread shows on the letters of LIBERTY, the letters of IGWT, and the date.
Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: The O of GOD is weak, but complete. A small die gouge (dot) can be found to the left of the upper D in GOD. Obverse Stage B: The dies clashed and were abraded. The top of the O of GOD is incomplete. Die clash marks can be found below the RTY of LIBERTY. Reverse Stage A: A short die scratch runs from NW to SE to the right of the upper part of the right Memorial base. A short die scratch runs NE from the upper right 1st column. Reverse Stage B: A short, strong die gouge can be found between the bottoms of the F in OF and the 1st A in AMERICA.
Submitted By: Stage A: Gordon Harnack, Stage B: John A. Wexler
Comments: If you have a high grade Stage B specimen that is not slabbed, I would like to see it so that I can upgrade the photo files for that stage.
Stage A
Stage B
1972-D 1¢ WDDO-003 "Best Of" Variety
Description: A nice Class I CCW spread shows on the letters of LIBERTY, the letters of IGWT, and the date.
Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A long, light die scratch runs north from the top of the T in LIBERTY. A short, vertical die gouge can be found SSE of the N of IN. Obverse Stage B: The die scratch from the T in LIBERTY is barely visible. The Stage A die gouge is gone. A small die gouge can be found south of the N of IN. Obverse Stage C: VLDS. A long die crack runs from SW to NE through the hair on the upper head. A short, strong die gouge extends SW from the upper left I of IN. Reverse Stage A: EDS. A small die gouge can be found just left of the left side of the roof and above the left cornice. A small die gouge touches the upper left side of the I in UNITED. Reverse Stage B: New reverse die. A small die gouge (dot) can be found below the N of ONE. A die gouge can be found to the right of the bottom of the T in CENT. Reverse Stage C: A long, straight die gouge runs south to the right of the lower 1st S in STATES. A die clash mark runs from the bottom of the Memorial to the top left of the N in ONE. A die crack and a die chip can be found on the left Memorial base. A die chip can be found on the right cornice. Die cracks run down the first two and the last three Memorial columns.
Description: A nice Class I CCW spread shows on the letters of LIBERTY, the letters of IGWT, and the date.
Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A die scratch runs SW from the left loop of the 9 to the 1 in the date. Obverse Stage B: The Stage A die scratch is no longer visible. Obverse Stage C: VLDS. Reverse Stage A: A short die gouge extends upward from the upper left corner of the left Memorial base. Reverse Stage B: Die cracks run down the 1st two Memorial columns. A die crack extends into the bottom of the 11th bay from the bottom right side of the 11th column. Reverse Stage C: The die crack at the bottom of the 11th bay has been replaced with a large die chip.
Comments: I would like to see high grade specimens of all three stages of this variety to upgrade my photo files.
Stage A
Stage B
1972-D 1¢ WDDO-005
Description: Doubling shows on the underside of the 2.
Die Markers:Obverse: Numerous die scratches run from WSW to ENE on both sides of the bust. Reverse: A strong die clash marks runs south from the bottom left of the Memorial to the top right of the O in ONE. A die scratch runs from SW to NE above the left end of the Memorial roof. A long die scratch runs NE from the bottom right of the C in CENT through the top left of the E to the bottom of the Memorial.
Submitted By: John A. Wexler
Cross References: Coppercoins: 1972D-1DO-006
1972-D 1¢ WDDR-001
Description: A slanted extra ceiling can be found above the statue of Lincoln.
Die Markers:Obverse: A long die scratch running from NW to SE runs through the 7 in the date. Numerous die scratches run north to south between the vest and the date and also through the TY of LIBERTY. A short, vertical die scratch is centered between the lower N of IN and the G of GOD. Several short die scratches run SSW to NNE to the right of the D in GOD. Reverse: A small die gouge can be found between the lower T and E of UNITED. A short, vertical die scratch can be found to the right of the 2nd A in AMERICA. A die gouge can be found inside the upper M of AMERICA.
Submitted By: Tony Russo
Cross References: CONECA: 1-R-VIII
1972-D 1¢ WDDR-002
Description: Partial extra
columns can be found in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd
Memorial bays.
Die Markers: Obverse: None significant. Reverse: None significant.