1945 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Struck during the final year of Adolph Weinman's Mercury Dime series, the 1945 DDO-003 displays strong extra thickness on the date, designer's initials, IN GOD WE TRUST, and LIBERTY — an affected-area profile paralleling the 1944 DDO-003 but originating from a different working die created a year later. Cross-referenced under CONECA designation 3-O-VI, this is the third cataloged obverse variety of Class VI distorted hub doubling for the 1945 date. Class VI distortion originates in the hub rather than from rotational or tilting displacement during the hubbing process, producing characteristic broadening that may differ in intensity across various design elements. Die markers UVC-244 and DMR-005 identify the specific working die — note that the UVC code differs from the 1944 DDO-003's UVC-242, confirming these are distinct dies from successive production years. This Philadelphia Mint issue was struck in 90% silver at 2.5 grams, carrying the Winged Liberty obverse design introduced in 1916. After 1945, the Mercury Dime gave way to John R. Sinnock's Roosevelt Dime in 1946, making this variety one of the last doubled die obverses possible in the Weinman series.

Die Markers

• UVC-244, DMR-005

Attribution History

• 3-O-VI

External References