1948 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-006

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 1948 25-cent WDDO-006, this Washington Silver Quarter doubled die obverse exhibits a clockwise spread from a pivot point at approximately 3 o'clock, with doubling visible on the date, the designer's initials, the lower ribbon, IN GOD WE TRUST, and LIBERTY. Clockwise pivoted hub doubling — classified as Class V in the Wexler system — occurs when the hub rotates slightly around a fixed point between successive impressions during die preparation, producing spread that increases proportionally with distance from the pivot center. The pivot at 3 o'clock means design elements on the left side of the coin (LIBERTY, date) show the most pronounced displacement, while elements near the 3 o'clock position show minimal movement. Die markers for positive attribution include an obverse die scratch running from the bottom right of the L to the bottom left of the B in LIBERTY, and a reverse die crack descending the eagle's right wing. No cross-references to other attribution systems are currently known. The 1948 Washington Quarter was struck in 90% silver composition at the Philadelphia Mint, producing John Flanagan's portrait of George Washington on a coin that had been in continuous production since 1932. Six Wexler doubled die obverses documented for this date reflects the systematic research applied to silver-era Washington Quarters, where the combination of precious metal content and die variety attribution creates dual collector appeal. Pivoted hub doubling on a mid-century silver quarter represents the mechanical precision challenges inherent in the hubbing process, where even fractional-degree rotations between impressions create measurable design displacement.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1948 25¢ WDDO-006
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References