1941 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team and cross-referenced as CONECA 1-O-VI, this 1941 Mercury Dime WDDO-002 displays strong extra thickness on the date, the designer's initials AW (for Adolph A. Weinman), and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST — indicating a hub displacement that affected multiple inscription elements concentrated in the lower obverse quadrant. The CONECA Class VI designation identifies this as Distorted Hub Doubling, produced when the working hub was slightly deformed or misaligned during the impression transfer to the working die, creating thickness variations rather than clean secondary images. Obverse die markers progress across two documented stages: Stage A features a die scratch running NNW/SSE through the W in WE, while Stage B develops a strong die gouge extending south from the right leg of the R in TRUST, NE/SW die scratches through the designer's initials, and strong crisscrossing die scratches on both sides of the head. Reverse markers similarly evolve from no significant features in Stage A to die clash marks in the middle left olive leaves and strong NW/SE die scratches above E PLURIBUS UNUM in Stage B. The Mercury Dime — more accurately the Winged Liberty Head Dime — was designed by Weinman and struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1941, composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 2.50 grams with a diameter of 17.9 mm. The progressive die marker development between Stages A and B provides collectors with a framework for identifying earlier versus later strikes from this specific die pair, with early-state specimens commanding premium interest due to cleaner fields.

Attribution History

• CONECA: 1-O-VI; Wexler Variety ID: 1941 10¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References