1940 (S) Mercury Dime - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

1940-S WDDO-002 is a doubled die obverse on the 1940-S Mercury dime, cataloged by the Wexler team. The doubling, a spread toward the center, shows on IN GOD WE TRUST, the date and the designer's initials. On Obverse Stage A, a die crack heads NNE from the rim near 6:30, enters the bust at its base, then bends north and runs well into the neck. Obverse Stage B adds two parallel die gouges crossing that crack at the bust base; a gouge beside the E in WE, right of its top; a die clash mark extending SSW off the underside of the chin; clash marks jutting from the upper back of the neck; and a SSW-to-NNE die crack crossing the wing's left side and reaching the rim. On this stage the bridge of the nose is broken, the result of abrading the die to remove clash marks. At Reverse Stage A, Wexler identifies the reverse as a doubled die, 1940-S WDDR-001, with a spread toward the center on the top right branches, the upper leaves, the top of the fasces and STATES OF; mechanical doubling was visible on many mid-right leaves. Reverse Stage B adds a heavy die scratch curving through the upper IT of UNITED, many abrasion scratches running mostly SSW to NNE on both sides of the fasces, and remnants of a die clash through the outer leaves at lower left. Kevin Flynn submitted Stage A and Tony Russo Stage B. Wexler lists no cross-references. Wexler includes it in its "Best Of" varieties.

Cross References

• Wexler Variety ID: 1940-S 10¢ WDDO-002

External References