1946 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-010

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDO-010 with die marker code UVC-0598 and die marker reverse DMR-011, this doubled die obverse variety appears on a 1946 Washington quarter. The Washington quarter, designed by John Flanagan based on a bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon, was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper during 1932-1964, weighing 6.25 grams with a 24.3 mm diameter and a reeded edge. Produced during the post-war era, the 1946 Washington quarter was minted during the economic boom that followed World War II, the final era of silver circulating coinage in the United States before the Coinage Act of 1965 ended the use of silver in dimes and quarters. The primary doubling on DDO-010 presents as a medium spread on the ribbon end and bow below Washington's ponytail, combined with rotational doubling on the letters RTY of LIBERTY. The combination of spread doubling on the ribbon elements and rotational doubling on the lettering suggests a complex hub displacement that included both linear and angular components. Three die stages have been documented. Stage A represents early die state, unconfirmed. Stage B shows the obverse in mid die state, with a light U-shaped die gouge on the eagle's upper right wing on the reverse, also reaching mid die state. Stage C is late die state, unconfirmed. The U-shaped die gouge on the eagle's wing is an unusual marker morphology, as most die gouges are linear or dot-like, and its distinctive shape provides a memorable identification feature. The ribbon end and bow area below Washington's hair ribbon is a commonly affected zone for doubled die obverse varieties on Washington quarters, as this portion of the design sits at the periphery where hub displacement tends to be most pronounced due to the geometry of the hubbing process.

Die Markers

• UVC-0598
• DMR-011
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse is MDS
• Light U shaped die gouge on eagle's upper Right wing – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lee Hiemke
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References