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, D-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-S 1¢ WDDO-001 "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: None significant. Reverse: None significant.
Description: A very close spread towards the center shows on the LI of LIBERTY.
Die Markers:Obverse: None significant. Reverse: None significant.
Submitted By: John A. Wexler
Cross References: None known
1972-S 1¢ WDDO-003 "Best Of" Variety
Description: Doubling shows only on the lower part of the 2 in the date.
Die Markers:Obverse: Two small die gouges (dots) can be found on the bottom left of the base of the bust. A short die scratch runs NE from the top left of the R in LIBERTY. A die scratch runs from north to south inside the upper left W of WE. Reverse: A die scratch runs NW from the bottom left side of the 1st column. A die scratch runs from NW to SE in the lower 2nd bay. A die gouge can be found near the top of the 8th bay. A die scratch runs NNE from near the top right side of the 10th column.
Description: A very close Class I CW spread shows on the lower LIBE of LIBERTY, the letters of IGWT, and the upper 72 in the date.
Die Markers:Obverse: A small die gouge (dot) can be found on the base of the bust NE of the B in the designer’s initials. Reverse: Three diagonal die scratches can be found at the right end of the steps. Two die scratches run through the statue’s right leg. A die scratch runs through the lower 4th and 5th Memorial bays.
Submitted By: Peter Beane
Cross References: None known
1972-S 1¢ WDDO-005 "Best Of" Variety
Description: A very close Class I CW spread shows on the letters of LIBERTY, the letters of IGWT, and very slightly on the date.
Die Markers:Obverse: A short, vertical die gouge can be found to the left of the center of the I of IN. A short, diagonal die scratch can be found below the right side of the B in LIBERTY. A short, curving die scratch can be found below and between the E and R of LIBERTY. A die scratch runs from SSW to NNE midway between GOD and WE. Reverse: A die gouge touches the bottom of the 2nd U in PLURIBUS. A short, vertical die scratch can be found inside the center of the C in AMERICA. A small die gouge (dot) can be found under the right end of the Memorial. A small die gouge can be found at the bottom inside of the O in ONE.
Submitted By: Frank Baumann
Cross References: Crawford: CDDO-003
1972-S 1¢ WDDO-006 "Best Of" Variety
Description: A very nice Class I CW spread shows on the letters of LIBERTY, the letters of IGWT, and the date.
Die Markers:Obverse: A die scratch runs SE from the rim to the head between GOD and WE. Short die gouges extend from the rim above IN and the D of GOD. A die gouge runs from NW to SE in the field north of the 2. Reverse: A short, vertical die scratch can be found in the upper U of UNITED. A short die gouge can be found to the left of the lower T in UNITED. A short die gouge runs NE from the center of the E in UNITED. A short die scratch can be found between the lower P and L of PLURIBUS.
Description: Slight doubling shows above the bottom of the 2 in the date. Master die doubling shows on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.
Die Markers: Obverse: A die scratch runs SSW/NNE to the right of the Y in LIBERTY. Reverse: A die gouge can be found near the rim midway between the second A in AMERICA and the designer’s initials. A small die gouge can be found NNW of the designer’s initials.