1936 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 1936 10c WDDO-007, this doubled die obverse on the 1936 Philadelphia Mercury Dime presents a close Class II spread towards the center on the date and the designer's initials (AW for Adolph A. Weinman). The "close" modifier indicates the spread distance between primary and secondary impressions is minimal but measurable, characteristic of a hub distortion that produced only slight dimensional variation. Die markers on the obverse include parallel southwest-to-northeast die scratches to the left of and above the designer's initials, plus die scratches running southwest from the B in LIBERTY. On the reverse, a small die gouge appears to the left of the E in UNITED, and parallel die scratches run between the lower left branch and the bottom of the fasces — the bundle of rods symbolizing strength through unity that gives the reverse its distinctive design. No supplementary cross-references beyond the Wexler designation are known. The 1936 Mercury Dime was struck in 90% silver (10% copper) at 2.50 grams, 17.9 mm diameter with a reeded edge. Philadelphia's 1936 mintage of 87,504,130 represented a strong recovery from Depression-era lows. Weinman's winged Liberty head design (1916-1945) is widely regarded as one of the most artistically accomplished designs in American coinage, and the fine detail of the winged cap, facial features, and lettering provides numerous surfaces where close hub spread can be detected by careful examination.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Raines Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1936 10¢ WDDO-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References