1936 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-006

Description

Stepping above the light classification shared by most 1936 Philadelphia Mercury dime doubled dies, DDO-006 presents medium spread on the date — a noticeably stronger doubling event that allows detection under moderate magnification without requiring specialized lighting angles. Philadelphia's substantial 1936 mintage of approximately 87.5 million dimes supported a robust die production cycle from which at least six obverse doubled dies have been documented. Cross-referenced as 6-O-II-C in the VarietyVista system — sixth obverse variety, Class II pivoted doubling, C subtype — and tracked as UVC-274 with die marriage DMR-009. The medium designation sets DDO-006 apart from its light-class companions in the 1936 census, suggesting a more pronounced angular offset during the secondary hub impression. Medium date doubling on Mercury dimes produces visibly separated secondary numerals that create a readily identifiable diagnostic, particularly on well-struck specimens where the original hub detail is sharp. Six documented obverse doubled dies for a single Philadelphia date represents one of the deeper DDO censuses in the Mercury dime series, and DDO-006's medium classification makes it arguably the most collector-accessible variety among the group, since the stronger doubling reduces the magnification threshold needed for confident attribution.

Die Markers

• UVC-274, DMR-009

Attribution History

• 6-O-II-C

External References