1945 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler team as 1945 10¢ WDDO-005, this 1945 Mercury dime displays a slight spread toward the center on the date and the designer's initials. Obverse die markers include vertical die scratches on the back of the neck and WNW/ESE die scratches between IN GOD WE TRUST and the bottom of the chin. The reverse shows heavy die clash marks running through the olive leaves and branches to the left of the fasces. A SSW/NNE die scratch is present to the right of the lower fasces, and numerous N/S die scratches run through the field to the right of the fasces. The reverse clash evidence suggests the dies made contact without a planchet at some point during the production run, leaving incuse impressions of each die's design on the opposing face. The 1945 Mercury dime — properly named the Winged Liberty Head dime — was struck in 90% silver at Philadelphia. It was the final year of production for the series before the Roosevelt dime replaced it in 1946. The combination of a centered hub spread on the obverse and clashed reverse marks makes WDDO-005 a multi-diagnostic variety for this popular last-year issue.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Thomas McGowan Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1945 10¢ WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References