1942 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team and carrying the Variety ID 1942 25c WDDR-003, this Washington quarter doubled die reverse shows an extremely strong clockwise spread on USA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, QUARTER DOLLAR, the eagle's talons, and the leaves and branches of the olive spray. This 90% silver quarter weighs 6.25 grams and measures 24.26 mm in diameter, struck at the Philadelphia Mint during World War II. The obverse carries a heavy die scratch running parallel to the rim above the RT in LIBERTY, while the reverse presents a die gouge (dot) between the lower I and T in UNITED. Jim Lafferty submitted this variety, which is cross-referenced as CONECA 5-R-I and Cherrypickers FS-25-1942-802 (014.3), indicating recognition by three major attribution systems. The FS (Fivaz-Stanton) listing in the Cherrypickers' Guide elevates this variety to the "best of" tier, representing a doubled die deemed significant enough for inclusion in the standard reference guide used by most variety collectors. The "extremely strong" spread description indicates this is a dramatic doubled die visible at low magnification, potentially even to the unaided eye on well-preserved specimens. The Washington Silver Quarters 1932-1964 series, designed by John Flanagan, features a heraldic eagle reverse with intricate feather detail, branch work, and surrounding legends that all respond dramatically to clockwise rotational hub doubling. The 1942 date carries World War II-era significance, and the silver composition adds intrinsic metal value to the numismatic premium commanded by this variety.

Attribution History

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1942 25¢ WDDR-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References