1944 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Spread toward the center on the date, designer's initials, and IN GOD WE TRUST (IGWT) distinguishes WDDO-002 on the 1944 Philadelphia Mercury dime from the more common outward-directed doubled dies. Toward-center spread means the secondary hub impression displaced these elements inward, creating a doubling direction that points away from the rim and toward the die's center. The designer's initials — AW for Adolph Weinman, positioned at the base of Liberty's neck on the obverse — provide a particularly sensitive diagnostic for this variety, as their small scale amplifies the visual effect of the hub displacement. Philadelphia produced approximately 231.4 million Mercury dimes in 1944, one of the highest wartime mintages in the series. The Wexler Team cataloged this as Wexler Variety ID: 1944 10¢ WDDO-002, with no other cross-references. The notation "Stage A" in the die marker records indicates this is the earliest recognized die state — as the die wore through production, subsequent stages might show progressive deterioration, but Stage A represents the die's condition at or near the beginning of its service life. Toward-center doubling on three different obverse elements — date, initials, and motto — provides a triangulation effect for attribution, with each diagnostic zone independently confirming the hub misalignment direction.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Thomas McGowan Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1944 10¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References