1951 (S) Washington Quarter - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Cross-referenced as CONECA 1-R-II+VI and Wexler Variety ID 1951-S 25c WDDR-001, this doubled die reverse on the 1951-S Washington Quarter exhibits a spread towards the center combined with extra thickness on QUARTER DOLLAR, AMERICA, and both of the lower wreath branches, documented by the Wexler Team. The dual classification of Class II plus Class VI indicates this variety resulted from both distorted hub doubling and distended hub doubling acting simultaneously during the die hubbing process — a combination that produces both directional spread and thickness distortion on the affected design elements. Obverse die markers include a long die scratch running SSW to NNE near the rim on the left side, while the reverse shows a small die gouge above the leaf north of the R in DOLLAR. The 1951-S Washington Quarter was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.3 mm — part of the final era of silver circulating coinage. John Flanagan's heraldic eagle reverse, with its spread wings above two olive branches, provides extensive detail in the wreath and lettering where doubling manifests. As WDDR-001, this variety holds the primary doubled die reverse catalog position for the entire 1951-S date-mint combination, indicating it was either the first discovered or the most significant reverse hub doubling event documented on this issue. The inward-directed spread on QUARTER DOLLAR combined with the branch doubling creates a variety best examined under 10x magnification focusing on letter thickness variations.

Cross References

• CONECA: 1-R-II+VI; Wexler Variety ID: 1951-S 25¢ WDDR-001

External References