1940-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Second in the obverse doubled die census for the 1940-S Mercury dime, DDO-002 exhibits strong spread on the date with lighter displacement affecting designer Adolph A. Weinman's initials AW and the lower portion of IN GOD WE TRUST. The variety carries the cross-reference 2-O-II-C, placing it within the CONECA classification framework as a Class II (Distorted Hub) doubled die, while the Fivaz-Stanton designations FS-101/801 confirm its inclusion in the Cherry Pickers' Guide under both obverse and reverse categories. VarietyVista documented this die under UVC-117 and DMR-003, and notably, the comments indicate the reverse is listed as DDR-001 — making this a dual-attribution die marriage where both the obverse and reverse carry independently documented doubled die designations. San Francisco struck approximately 21.56 million Mercury dimes in 1940, a moderate mintage that positions this date in the mid-range for S-mint Mercuries of the late pre-war period. The strong spread on the date means the doubling is readily visible under moderate magnification as clearly displaced secondary impressions of the numerals 1940, while the lighter spread on Weinman's AW initials and the lower motto letters requires more careful examination to confirm. The Class II distorted hub mechanism indicates the hub itself was slightly warped or the die was not properly seated during hubbing, creating progressive displacement across the die face. The dual FS-101/801 listing — covering both obverse and reverse doubled die designations — elevates the collector appeal of this die marriage significantly, and specimens should be examined on both sides for their respective doubling diagnostics.

Die Markers

• UVC-117, DMR-003

Attribution History

• 2-O-II-C

External References