1939-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

On the Mercury Dime, the 1939-D WDDO-001 shows extra thickness spread towards the center on the date, the designer's initials, the tips of the wing feathers, and lightly on IN GOD WE TRUST. The Mercury Dime's winged Liberty Cap design provides ample surface area for visible doubling, and the wing feather tips are a particularly effective diagnostic area due to their fine detail. Obverse die markers include a short die gouge running northwest from the top of the cap to the left of the E in LIBERTY and a die gouge running through the lower R in LIBERTY. Reverse die markers include a short die gouge through the upper left of the U in UNITED and a short die gouge connecting the tops of the T and E in STATES. The center-directed spread across multiple design elements creates a tightening effect that is best examined under magnification, with the wing feather tips providing the most immediately visible pickup point.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1939-D 10¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References