2003 DDR cents?

Robert · Senior Member

Chuck, could you shed some more light on "wavy step" Lincolns? I'm going to transcribe a portion of an article from the May 10 Coin World, p. 82.

"Wexler presents photos of additional die diagnostics for four 2003 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln cents that (Wexler) has listed as doubled die reverses 3 through 6, from a doubled working hub. The coins have been subject of several Coin World articles."

"The Mint has denied that they, and the 'stronger' dies 1 and 2, which appear to show extensions of columns downward into the steps, are true doubled dies. A Mint assistant director's responses to several questions regarding them, and differences raised by (other specialists) were carried in the March 29 issue of CW."

"'Wavy steps' on the Lincoln Memorial are typical of dies 3 through 6. Wexler's photos in The Hub also show scratches and gouges that serve as additional 'die markers'".

"Wexler writes that reports of similar dies from other years are being explored. These include 1993 (two dies), 1995, 1997, 1999 (two), and 2001. A 2003 with doubled die obverse is also reported, he writes."

So the Mint says they're not doubled dies, but Wexler says they are. Are they both wrong?

smed · Senior Member

My personal opinion from the pictures I've seen is either they are doubled dies or they were minted from a defective die. There's no way I can accept plachet graininess for a reason. I don't buy the mint's explaination at all.

coppercoins · Site Admin

The consensus is that these are a new form of doubled die caused when the die "snaps" into position while being hubbed under enormous pressure to transfer the whole design in a single hubbing. The snap motion while pressure is applied "drags" the design over a part of the die causing the slightly indistinct nature of the doubling. It is NOT machine doubling because the oddity in the design is on the die and is not a result of the striking process.

That's about all I really have to offer right now. I need to study some of these coins in further detail before getting into a more detailed explanation.