1943-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-006

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista with die identifiers UVC-0333 and DMR-009, the 1943-D DDO-006 Washington Silver Quarter exhibits very light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST — a subtle but genuine doubled die obverse created during the hubbing process when the secondary hub impression shifted slightly relative to the primary. Three die stages are documented: Stage A represents early die state (EDS, unconfirmed), Stage B is mid-die-state (MDS, also unconfirmed), and Stage C shows advanced deterioration with a die crack running across Washington's bust extending into the field both in front and behind the queue (the tied ribbon of hair at the back of the head), along with a die crack in the upper hair, while the reverse has reached late die state (LDS). This Stage C progression from subtle doubling through increasingly severe structural failure demonstrates how a die's physical integrity degrades under the enormous pressures of striking operations — estimated at 60 to 100 tons per strike for quarter production. The Washington Quarter was designed by John Flanagan, based on a 1786 bust of George Washington by Jean-Antoine Houdon, and was first struck in 1932 to commemorate the bicentennial of Washington's birth. The 1943-D was produced at the Denver Mint in 90% silver composition (90% silver, 10% copper) weighing 6.25 grams with a 24.3 mm diameter and a reeded edge. Wartime production demands in 1943 meant high die utilization rates, which accelerated the kind of die deterioration progression documented in this variety's three-stage timeline. Collectors seeking this variety should focus on IN GOD WE TRUST under 7x to 10x magnification for the doubling, then check the bust and hair areas for die cracks to determine the specific die stage of their specimen.

Die Markers

• UVC-0333
• DMR-009
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Die crack across bust into field in front and queue behind – LDS
• Die crack in upper hair
• Reverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lee Hiemke
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References