1945 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as WDDR-002 on the 1945 Mercury Dime, this doubled die reverse exhibits a spread towards the center affecting multiple reverse elements: DIME, the lower left branch and leaves, the bottom cord of the fasces, the right star, and AMERICA. The spread-towards-center classification indicates the secondary hub impression was slightly undersized or contracted relative to the primary, causing design elements to pull inward. Adolph Weinman's fasces-and-olive-branch reverse, with its intricate interweaving of bundled rods and botanical details, provides numerous fine reference points where even modest hub displacement becomes diagnostically visible. Die markers on the reverse include a die gouge above the E in ONE, a die gouge touching the bottom right side of the second A in AMERICA, a die gouge protruding from the lower left side of the I in AMERICA, and a short die gouge extending northeast from the top left of the M in DIME — collectively providing a reliable fingerprint for authenticating this specific working die. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1945 10-cent WDDR-002 with no other known cross-references, this variety represents one of the final-year issues from the Mercury Dime series (1916-1945). The 1945 Mercury Dime was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 2.50 grams with a diameter of 17.91 mm, at a time when World War II was drawing to a close and the Mint was preparing for the transition to the Roosevelt Dime that would debut in 1946 to honor the recently deceased president.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tony Russo Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1945 10¢ WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References