1944-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Third in the doubled die obverse catalog for the 1944-S Washington Quarter, DDO-003 displays light extra thickness on the date, IN GOD WE TRUST, and LIBERTY — a broad-coverage pattern touching the three primary obverse legend groups. Light classification means the secondary impression closely overlaps the primary, widening letter strokes subtly. The reverse is listed as MMS-003, the Large Mintmark Style, indicating this die pair received a larger S punch than the standard size used on other 1944-S quarter dies — a mintmark style variant that adds a secondary attribution layer beyond the obverse doubling. Die markers include UVC-0440 and DMR-005. Three die stages document a particularly well-tracked progression: Stage A at Early Die State is unconfirmed, Stage B develops a die crack across the bust at Mid Die State with the reverse also at MDS, and Stage C advances to Late Die State with a crack across the forehead and hair on the obverse plus a crack from the rim into the wing through the last A of AMERICA on the reverse. The 1944-S was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver during World War II, a year of high production to meet wartime commercial needs.

Die Markers

• UVC-0440
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die crack across bust – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• Die crack across forehead and hair – LDS
• Die crack from rim into wing through last A of AMERICA – LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Larry Briggs
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References