Die variety topic hub
Die varieties created during the die-making process
Sections marked for specialist review use live catalog counts; educational wording may still be refined.
A doubled die is a die variety produced through the hubbing process used to make working dies. The doubling is part of the die, so many coins from that die can share the same diagnostics.
CopperCoins catalogs doubled die obverse (DO) and doubled die reverse (DR) dies separately from machine doubling, die deterioration, and post-mint damage, which CopperCoins does not list.
Counts are live from the CopperCoins die catalog.
Match markers and design details to a known die. The strongest-looking doubling in a photo is not always a collectible doubled die.
Beginner guide: checking for doubled dies · Master die doubling (related catalog topic — not the same as individual doubled dies)
When a die’s class field records Class 1–9, those labels follow the nine classes of hub doubling. Not every doubled die has a confidently assigned class.
Representative catalog dies. Editorial picks override the automatic list when set in CMS.
1955p1do001
1955 · DO
Class 1 - Rotated Hub Doubling
This is the monster of all Lincoln cent doubled dies. Extreme CCW spread shows on all design elements. This is the most famous of all doubled dies in US co…
1972p1do001
1972 · DO
Class 1 - Rotated Hub Doubling
The undisputed king of the Lincoln Memorial era doubled dies. This beauty exhibits very strong CW rotated hub doubling on the entire obverse with complete l…
1983p1dr001
1983 · DR
Class 4 - Offset Hub Doubling
An extreme spread to the north shows on all devices. This die is in the top five of all Lincoln cent doubled die reverses. Because of planchet plating prob…
1936p1do001
1936 · DO
Class 4 - Offset Hub Doubling
Very strong offset hub doubling to the southwest shows on all obverse devices including the date, LIBERTY, motto, ear, tie, outer coat and hair details. Old…
1939p1dr003
1939 · DR
Class 2+5+6 - Distorted and Pivoted and Distended Hub Doubling
Extreme extra thickness shows on all outer devices with separation toward center that shows a slight counterclockwise pivot from K5.
1939p1dr005
1939 · DR
Class 6 - Distended Hub Doubling
Extremely strong extra thickness shows on all outer devices, the top of ONE, and some of the bottom portions of AMERICA.
1943p1do001
1943 · DO
Class 6 - Distended Hub Doubling
Extreme extra thickness shows on the date, LIBERTY, and the motto. Old CPG# 018.97
1943p1dr003
1943 · DR
Class 6 - Distended Hub Doubling
Extreme extra thickness can be seen on the motto, dots, wheat ears, and the wheat stems. Medium extra thickness on the tops of ONE and on the bottom of OF AM…
By side
High-interest years
Open Die Search for all doubled dies · Date Guide
By mint (catalog totals)
A doubled die is a die variety created during the die-making process (hub doubling). The doubling is part of the die and can appear on many coins struck from it.
No. Machine doubling (mechanical doubling) is not hub doubling and is generally not collectible as a doubled die variety Machine doubling is actually the result of malfunction in the striking process.
Not always. CopperCoins stores class text when recorded. Some dies have clear class labels; others need further study. Classification is assigned to the appearance of the result, not the method with which the die was made.
Match year, mint, and diagnostic markers to a cataloged die page. Strong apparent doubling alone is not enough — compare markers and design details carefully. If the variety on your coin is listed, there will be something in a photo somewhere in the listings that matches exactly what you have. It may be very small and not mentioned, but it will be there.
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