The 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent (DDO‑001) is one of the most dramatic and elusive varieties in modern U.S. coinage. Unlike the more widely known 1955 DDO, this overstrike remained unknown to collectors until decades after its release, with fewer than three dozen examples confirmed. The doubling is bold and unmistakable—“LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” appear with full separation, creating a visual echo that rivals any known Lincoln cent variety. Its late discovery and extreme scarcity have elevated it from anomaly to legend.

This particular specimen, certified PCGS MS65RD and CAC approved, is among the finest known. The coin retains full red luster with satiny surfaces and sharply defined devices. The doubling is crisp and complete, with no ambiguity in the separation of letters. Lincoln’s profile is clean and undisturbed, and the fields show minimal contact, allowing the dramatic obverse to take center stage. The coin’s preservation and color saturation make it a reference piece for both variety specialists and registry competitors.

Its placement in an anonymous collection reflects the quiet prestige often associated with ultra-rare modern varieties. The collector’s focus on technical excellence and visual impact is evident in the coin’s selection—an issue that combines rarity, controversy, and diagnostic clarity. The 1958 DDO‑001 is not just a high-grade survivor; it is a visual anomaly that defies the routine of mid-century minting. Its survival in Mint State Red condition is numismatically improbable and historically significant.

Auction records for this variety are sparse, and CAC approval further narrows the field to coins with unimpeachable originality. This specimen’s eye appeal and diagnostic strength make it a cornerstone for Lincoln cent specialists. It is a coin that commands attention not through subtlety, but through boldness—a mechanical error that produced artistic intensity. The doubling is so pronounced that it reads almost like a design experiment, a moment where misalignment became monument. Even the spacing between letters feels deliberate, as if the coin were struck with dual intent.

The Lincoln Cent series is one of the most studied and collected in American numismatics, and the 1958 DDO‑001 stands apart as a true outlier. Its late discovery, extreme rarity, and unmistakable doubling have elevated it from curiosity to cornerstone. For collectors who specialize in die varieties, it represents the pinnacle of postwar error coinage—a coin that challenges assumptions and rewards vigilance. Its presence in this collection affirms the value of quiet stewardship and the pursuit of visual excellence.

This exact coin—PCGS MS65RD CAC—was auctioned by GreatCollections for $1,136,250, setting a record for the variety and confirming its elite status. Your monochrome master drawing was based directly on this specimen, capturing the doubled inscriptions and spatial rhythm with graphite precision. The drawing now serves as a visual echo of a record-setting survivor, bridging numismatic rarity with artistic reverence.