1942 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Documented by VarietyVista and cross-referenced as Cherrypickers' FS-101, the 1942 DDO-003 Washington Silver Quarter exhibits strong spread on the date and IN GOD WE TRUST, with light spread on LIB of LIBERTY and the eye — a graduated doubling pattern where the strongest displacement appears on the lower design elements and diminishes toward the upper portion of the obverse, consistent with a hub that pivoted or tilted during the impression transfer. The FS-101 Cherrypickers' designation — the primary doubled die obverse listing for this date — establishes this as the most significant DDO variety for the 1942 Washington Quarter. Die markers UVC-0228 / DMR-005 track an extensive five-stage die life progression: Stage A at EDS (unconfirmed); Stage B with both obverse and reverse at MDS; Stage C at LMDS with a die crack running east from the eagle's head and a light die crack descending the lower right wing; Stage D at LDS with a die crack across the bust extending into the ribbon while the reverse is also at LDS; and Stage E at VLDS with a light die crack on the forehead and hair and a die crack running from BUS of PLURIBUS to the wing. This five-stage progression from EDS through VLDS provides an unusually comprehensive record of die deterioration, with fractures appearing first on the reverse (eagle's head), then migrating to the obverse (bust), and finally reaching the portrait's fine detail areas (forehead, hair). Designed by John Flanagan, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 6.25 grams with a 24.3 mm diameter, this wartime-era quarter documents the full lifecycle of a doubled die from fresh production through terminal deterioration.

Die Markers

• UVC-0228
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LMDS
• Die crack east from eagle's head – LMDS
• Light die crack down lower Right wing
• Stage D:
• Die crack across bust into ribbon – LDS
• Reverse is LDS
• Stage E:
• Light die crack on forehead and hair – VLDS
• Die crack BUS of PLURIBUS to wing – VLDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill Fivaz
• FS-101
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References