1946 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-017

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista under UVC-0605 with die marker reference DMR-020, this 1946 Washington quarter doubled die obverse presents a light but discernible spread on the date numerals and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The doubling affects the serifs and crossbars of the inscription characters, requiring careful examination at 10x or higher magnification to separate from strike doubling artifacts. Three die stages have been identified for this die pair. Stage A represents an early die state that remains unconfirmed and may surface as additional specimens are reported. Stage B, the most commonly encountered condition, shows the obverse at mid-die state with a strong die scratch running beneath the last S of STATES on the reverse, providing the primary authentication marker. Stage C, a late die state, is also unconfirmed and would presumably show additional die fatigue characteristics. The 1946 Philadelphia quarter had a mintage of 53.436 million pieces, making it a common date in the Washington series, yet this DDO-017 variety elevates otherwise unremarkable circulated examples into the specialty die variety market. Collectors should use the sub-S scratch on the reverse as the primary pickup diagnostic before attempting to verify the obverse doubling under magnification.

Die Markers

• UVC-0605
• DMR-020
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse is MDS
• Strong die scratch under last S of STATES – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References