1944 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-014

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDO-014 with Universal Variety Code UVC-0390, this doubled die obverse was struck on a 1944 Washington silver quarter. The variety shows a light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST, one of the primary obverse legend elements that collectors examine for hub doubling on Washington quarters. Die marker records under DMR-015 document three die stages: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B in mid die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C in late die state where a die crack runs across the upper forehead and hair, accompanied by a die crack across the bust and a reverse in LDS condition. The 1944 Washington quarter was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in the 90% silver, 10% copper composition, weighing 6.25 grams with a 24.3 mm diameter and a reeded edge. This coin was produced during World War II, when the United States Mint was operating at peak capacity to meet the demands of a wartime economy. John Flanagan's portrait of George Washington, based on Jean-Antoine Houdon's famous 1785 bust, features the motto IN GOD WE TRUST beneath the chin, precisely where this variety's doubling manifests. Philadelphia struck 104,956,000 quarters in 1944, a large wartime mintage. The die crack progression documented across the three stages provides collectors with a roadmap for determining die state, which can affect both the visual appeal of the die cracks and the relative scarcity of specimens from each production stage within this die's working life.

Die Markers

• UVC-0390
• DMR-015
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Die crack across upper forehead and hair – LDS
• Die crack across bust
• Reverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lee Hiemke
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References