1953 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1953 25¢ Pr WDDR-001 with no other known cross-references, this proof Washington Silver Quarter displays a close spread toward the center on QUARTER DOLLAR, UNITED, AMERICA, the wreath stems, and the lower leaves — a convergent doubling pattern where the secondary hub impression shifted inward, pushing the doubled images of affected elements toward the coin's center. Obverse die markers include a strong die gouge at the rim to the left of the top of the B in LIBERTY and a heavy die gouge running parallel to the rim between the E and R in LIBERTY. Reverse markers include two short vertical die scratches between the R and T in QUARTER and a die gouge (dot) near the rim below the left side of the O in DOLLAR. As a proof strike from the Philadelphia Mint, this coin was produced on specially prepared planchets using polished dies within a controlled striking environment, yielding mirror-like fields that make even subtle center-directed doubling more visible against the reflective surface. John Flanagan designed the Washington Quarter with the heraldic eagle reverse, and the combination of wreath stem and leaf doubling alongside inscription doubling on QUARTER DOLLAR, UNITED, and AMERICA creates a comprehensive set of reverse diagnostics. The 1953 proof Washington Quarter was struck in 90% silver composition (90% silver, 10% copper) weighing 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.3 mm. The heavy die gouge between E and R in LIBERTY, running parallel to the rim, is particularly distinctive because its orientation and position relative to two specific letters creates a marker that is instantly recognizable under even moderate magnification, providing confident identification of this specific obverse die beyond the primary DDR attribution on the reverse.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Dale Ericson Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1953 25¢ Pr WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References