Roll Notes: 2019-P Cent WDDO-011
This penny was pulled from a customer-rolled wrap on 12/29/25. At first glance, the chunky date was noticeable. All 2019 shield cents have the fat 9, but the 0 in the date was the tell. The distorted numbers on the date are visible without magnification.
Close-up of the 2019 date showing asymmetric inner-wall distortion on the 0.
The 9s on these are doubled on the master die, so all of the coins share the same non-error “error”. The asymmetrical shape of the 0, with the thinner areas localized on the top-right and lower-left, is the easiest diagnostic here. There are other, less dramatic, DDOs that have the same general shape (013 and 014).
LIBERTY showing rounded, expanded letterforms consistent with hub doubling.
Detail of IN GOD WE TRUST showing subtle but consistent doubling in select letters. Note the puffiness of the U.
Extra thickness on LIBERTY and TRUST added confidence to the confirmation.
This attribution was made by matching date geometry rather than relying on overall doubling strength.
What I’m learning now that I’m seeing more examples of DDO on Shield Cents is that the devices have a different rounded character to them than the non-error ones. LIBERTY on an error-free coin has a sharper edge to the letters. The error coins seem to have a puffier and round look to them. It’s tough to see that in the Wexler or Variety Vista pics, but is very evident in hand.
The distortion in the shape of the devices is also becoming easy to spot. Rather than looking for something specific on the obverse of Shield Cents, I’m finding it easier to just look for distortion. This same distortion pattern has now shown up on multiple Shield Cent DDOs. This applies to all years, not just 2019.
Full obverse of the 2019 Lincoln cent attributed to WDDO-011.
Reverse of the 2019 Lincoln cent, nothing to note here.
Reverse was typical of all Shield Cents.
Coin doesn’t show any mechanical doubling or strike errors. The full pic of the coin shows some shadows to the north of the date that look a bit like die trails. I’m still figuring out how to get the best lighting for the pics.
Wexler 2019 entry.
Variety Vista 2019 DDO-001 entry.
Geoff runs Genuine Cents, a straight talking coin education project built from hands-on experience and hundreds of hours examining coins. He is an ANA member and writes practical guides for new and returning collectors who want clarity instead of hype. If you want to reach him, message him on Instagram at @GenuineCents.
