1949-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

The Wexler Team cataloged WDDR-001 on the 1949-D Washington quarter as the primary doubled die reverse for this date and mint, documenting a counterclockwise spread from a pivot at approximately the 4:00 position visible on USA, EPU (E PLURIBUS UNUM), and QUARTER. Rotational doubling pivoting from a specific clock position is characteristic of Class I hub doubling, where the hub and die were slightly rotated relative to each other between impressions, causing design elements to spread in an arc centered on the pivot point. Elements closer to the pivot show less displacement, while those farther away exhibit greater spread. The obverse shows the typical master die doubling common to this date — a production-wide trait rather than a die-specific variety — plus a die scratch running NW from the lower left B in LIBERTY and another die scratch from west to east below the B. The reverse carries a short vertical die gouge above the M in AMERICA. Washington silver quarters of the late 1940s were struck in 90% silver at a time when the denomination served as a primary workhorse of everyday commerce. Denver's 1949-D quarter had a mintage of over 10.6 million pieces. As WDDR-001, this variety represents the most prominent reversed doubled die cataloged for the date, and its presence across three separate inscriptions makes it more broadly diagnostic than varieties limited to a single word or area.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tom Kalantzis Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1949-D 25¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References