1939 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-002

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista under UVC-0101 and DMR-018, this 1939 Washington Silver Quarter DDR-002 exhibits very light spread on the lower letters of STATES OF AMERICA — a subtle hub displacement requiring careful examination to distinguish from die deterioration or machine doubling artifacts. Three die stages are documented: Stage A is early die state (EDS, unconfirmed); Stage B is mid-die-state (MDS, unconfirmed); and Stage C is late die state showing strong die scratches through most rim letters and on the eagle's left wing, accompanied by a light die crack across the bust on the obverse. The concentration of die scratches through the rim letters in Stage C suggests aggressive die maintenance polishing was performed to extend the die's service life, while the die crack across the bust documents structural failure in the obverse die during its later production phases. The 1939 Washington Silver Quarter was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver composition weighing 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.26 mm. John Flanagan designed the Washington Quarter with a portrait derived from Houdon's bust on the obverse and a heraldic eagle on the reverse. The 1939 Philadelphia mintage of approximately 33.5 million pieces was a healthy figure reflecting the pre-war economic recovery. The very light nature of the spread on STATES OF AMERICA means this variety is best examined with 10x or higher magnification under angled lighting that casts shadows from the secondary impressions, as the narrow separation between primary and doubled elements can be invisible under direct overhead illumination. Stage C specimens, despite their extensive die scratches, may paradoxically show the doubling more clearly because the scratches provide visual texture that helps the eye detect subtle displacement patterns.

Die Markers

• UVC-0101
• DMR-018
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Strong die scratches though most rim letters and on eagle's Left wing – LDS
• Light die crack across bust – LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lee Hiemke
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References