1940-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Under VarietyVista die markers UVC-0131 and DMR-004, DDO-003 on the 1940-D Washington Silver Quarter exhibits medium spread on GOD WE and the ST of TRUST — affecting the central and terminal portions of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST while leaving the opening word IN below the detection threshold. This selective involvement of specific motto words suggests the hub displacement vector aligned most favorably with the GOD WE TRUST portion of the inscription arc, with the displacement magnitude falling below the medium visibility threshold at the IN position, which sits at the leftmost point of the motto's curved baseline on the obverse. Three die stages document this die pair's production history with notable reverse die deterioration: Stage A shows both obverse and reverse in Early Die State, Stage B documents the obverse reaching Mid Die State with a die crack developing down the eagle's right wing on the reverse — a classic stress fracture in the high-relief feather area where striking forces concentrate — also reaching MDS. Stage C (LDS) is unconfirmed, suggesting documented specimens have been found only in the first two die states. The eagle's right wing die crack in Stage B provides a readily identifiable reverse diagnostic that develops partway through the die's service life, creating a natural dividing line between early and later production from this die pair. The 1940-D was struck at the Denver Mint in 90% silver at 6.25 grams, part of the pre-war production of John Flanagan's Washington Quarter design. Examination at 7x magnification should focus on the GOD WE TRUST inscription area for the medium spread, then confirm with the eagle wing die crack presence or absence to establish die state.

Die Markers

• UVC-0131
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• Obverse is MDS
• Die crack down eagle's Right wing – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Geoffrey Fults
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References