1942-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Denver's third documented obverse doubled die for the 1942 Mercury dime, DDO-003 exhibits light spread on the date digits. The 1942-D carries a mintage of approximately 60.7 million pieces, making it a readily available date in the Mercury dime series — though identified die varieties from any date carry premiums based on their scarcity and demand. Cross-referenced as 3-O-II-C in the VarietyVista framework — third obverse variety, Class II pivoted doubling, C subtype — with die tracking as UVC-271 and die marriage DMR-021. The 1942 date holds special significance as the year the United States entered full wartime production following Pearl Harbor, though the Mercury dime's 90% silver composition was maintained throughout the war (unlike the nickel, which switched to a silver alloy). Three obverse doubled dies cataloged for the 1942-D date reveals the intensity of die variety examination across Denver Mercury dime production. The Class II-C designation indicates a rotational hub misalignment that produced its most detectable effect on the peripheral date numerals. Examination under 7-10x magnification should reveal the light secondary impression on each date digit, with the spread following a consistent rotational direction that distinguishes it from strike doubling or die deterioration effects.

Die Markers

• UVC-271, DMR-021

Attribution History

• 3-O-II-C

External References