1941 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-018

Description

Documented by VarietyVista, the 1941 DDR-018 Washington Silver Quarter presents strong spread to the north on the beak, arrows, and wreath — a concentrated doubling pattern affecting the eagle's facial features and the heraldic elements clutched in its talons, while leaving the inscription text relatively undisturbed. Die markers UVC-0184 / DMR-034 track three progressive stages: Stage A at EDS (unconfirmed); Stage B with both reverse and obverse at MDS; and Stage C at LDS displaying a light die crack under UNIT of UNITED, a light die crack on the forehead and hair, and a light die crack across the bust. The three simultaneous die cracks in Stage C — one on the reverse lettering and two on the obverse portrait — document a die pair approaching the end of its useful production life with structural failure developing across both faces in multiple locations. The strong northward spread on the eagle's beak is particularly diagnostic because the beak's sharply defined profile amplifies even moderate hub displacement into a clearly visible doubled outline, making it one of the easiest features to check when screening potential specimens. The Washington Quarter was designed by John Flanagan and struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1941, composed of 90% silver at 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.3 mm. The 18th cataloged DDR for the 1941 date indicates a productive die variety year, consistent with the large production volumes maintained during the early wartime period when the Philadelphia Mint operated at high capacity to meet expanding coinage demands driven by economic mobilization.

Die Markers

• UVC-0184
• DMR-034
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Light die crack under UNIT of UNITED – LDS
• Light die crack on forehead and hair – LDS
• Light die crack across bust

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lee Hiemke
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References