1892 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1892 25¢ WDDO-003 and extensively cross-referenced as Lawrence L-101, Flynn DDO-003, and submitted by A. B. Moy, this inaugural-year Barber Quarter exhibits a very close spread towards the center on the stars, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the left side of the outer ribbon. The obverse is also documented as WRPD-002, a repunched date with the 18 punched to the south and the 2 to the north — making this a combination DDO/RPD variety with two independent die-manufacturing anomalies on a single obverse die. Die markers include a die crack running from the right point of the bust to star R1, with the crack continuing from star R1 but not quite reaching star R2 — a progressive crack system tracing a specific path through the design that aids die state identification. The reverse of this die pair is separately listed as WDDR-004, creating a remarkable triple-variety coin: doubled die obverse, repunched date, and doubled die reverse on a single die marriage. Reverse markers include a typical die chip in the upper right of the second S of STATES. The 1892 Barber Quarter was designed by Charles E. Barber, Chief Engraver, and struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver weighing 6.25 grams with a 24.26 mm diameter. The Lawrence L-101 cross-reference places this in one of the earliest systematic Barber variety catalogs. As an 1892 first-year-of-issue with three distinct variety types (DDO, RPD, DDR) documented on the same die pair, this represents an exceptionally complex variety that appeals to collectors across multiple specialty areas within the attribution hobby.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Charlie Nowack through Dave Wilson Cross References: Lawrence: L-101, Flynn: DDO-003
• Lawrence: L-101, Flynn: DDO-003; Wexler Variety ID: 1892 25¢ WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References