1939-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Michael L. Ellis reported this primary doubled die reverse for the 1939-D Mercury dime, where medium extra thickness appears on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the decorative dots flanking the fasces, the stars, and the ONE DIME denomination. Adolph Weinman's fasces reverse — featuring the bound bundle of rods and ax that symbolized Roman civic authority — provided extensive raised detail where hub doubling could manifest. Denver produced approximately 24.4 million Mercury dimes in 1939. The "extra thickness" characterization indicates the secondary hub impression nearly overlapped the primary, producing letters and design elements that appear bolder and heavier than normal rather than showing distinct directional separation. The dots and stars serving as diagnostic elements alongside the text is notable — these smaller design features can be particularly revealing under magnification, as their compact geometry amplifies the visual effect of even minor thickness increases. As DDR-001, this variety holds the primary catalog position among 1939-D Mercury dime doubled die reverses, making it the benchmark reference for collectors examining Denver-minted dimes from this date. The medium designation indicates the extra thickness is readily observable under standard magnification conditions.

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