1873 Liberty Head Double Eagle - Open 3 - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Cataloged by John A. Wexler, this 1873 Liberty Head Double Eagle Open 3 variety shows doubling on LIBERTY, on the top of the coronet and on the hairline at its base, spread from a counterclockwise pivot close to the rim near 5:00, in an early hubbing. Die markers on the obverse include an Open 3 date variant, a die gouge in the hair north of B in LIBERTY, three parallel diagonal die scratches inside the lowest curl of hair, and a thin die crack between the lower 7 and 3. Reverse markers show a die scratch from the lower right A of STATES running NNE to the rim. Edward R. Mill submitted the variety; its reverse is WDDR-001, and Wexler lists no cross-references. Struck in 90% gold and 10% copper at 33.44 grams and 34 mm diameter, the $20 Double Eagle was the largest regular-issue gold denomination in United States coinage.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Open 3 variety. Die gouge in hair north of B in LIBERTY. 3 parallel diagonal die scratches inside lower-most curl of hair. Thin die crack between lower 7 and 3. Reverse: Die scratch from lower right A of STATES NNE to the rim.

Cross References

• Reverse is WDDR-001

External References