1939 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-010

Description

Exhibiting a close spread towards the center on the date, the 1939 Mercury Dime WDDO-010 places its primary doubling on the four digits of the year — 1939 — where the secondary hub impression shifted inward to create tight secondary contours alongside the numerals. A close spread indicates the displacement between hub impressions was relatively small, requiring careful examination under magnification to detect the secondary image nestled against the primary digits. Adolph Weinman's Winged Liberty Head obverse, commonly known as the "Mercury" design for Liberty's resemblance to the Roman messenger god, provides the canvas for this variety. Die markers include numerous die scratches running through the I in LIBERTY on the obverse and small die gouges above the N in ONE on the reverse — both useful for confirming the specific working die independent of the doubling itself. Attributed by the Wexler Team under variety ID 1939 10c WDDO-010, no cross-references to other attribution systems are currently known. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 2.5 grams. The 1939 date falls late in the Mercury Dime series, which ran from 1916 to 1945. Examine the date numerals for tight secondary contours displaced toward the center of the coin, and verify the die scratches through I in LIBERTY and gouges above N in ONE.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Thomas McGowan Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1939 10¢ WDDO-010
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References