1960 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1960 25-cent Proof WDDO-003, this doubled die obverse variety on the Washington Silver Quarter shows a Class II spread toward the center on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Class II Distorted Hub Doubling produces a distinctive inward-radiating displacement pattern where design elements closer to the rim show greater separation than those nearer the center. This proof issue was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver (6.25 grams, 24.3 mm diameter), with John Flanagan's obverse portrait of George Washington and the heraldic eagle reverse. The 1960 proof Washington Quarter was produced for inclusion in the annual proof set, with a proof mintage of 1,691,602 sets that year. Obverse die markers include a short nearly vertical die scratch to the right of the upper I in LIBERTY, a short diagonal die gouge on the eyebrow just above the back of the eye, a diagonal die scratch above the front of the eyebrow, and a diagonal die scratch on the nose just above the nostril. No significant reverse markers have been noted. The concentration of die markers around Washington's eye and nose area — four distinct features in close proximity — makes this die particularly well-documented for authentication purposes. The proof strike quality enhances the visibility of both the Class II doubling and the die markers, as the mirror-like fields and frosted devices characteristic of proof coins provide superior contrast for detecting subtle variety features under magnification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Zapushek Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1960 25¢ Pr WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References