1960 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

Proof Washington silver quarters from 1960 exhibit a remarkably deep doubled die census, and WDDO-004 records a very close Class II spread toward the center on IN GOD WE TRUST. The Class II designation indicates distorted hub doubling rather than the clean rotational displacement of Class I, producing variable separation across the motto letters as the hub's non-planar surface created differential contact during die sinking. A die scratch running south from the S in TRUST provides the key obverse die marker, while no significant reverse die markers were noted. The Wexler Team cataloged this as Wexler Variety ID: 1960 25c Pr WDDO-004, with no other known cross-references. Philadelphia produced approximately 1.69 million proof sets in 1960, each containing a quarter struck in 90% silver on polished planchets with polished dies. Very close Class II doubling on IGWT presents the most demanding diagnostic challenge: the secondary impression sits extremely near the primary, manifesting as subtle letter thickening or faint splitting rather than obvious separation, and the distorted hub mechanism means this thickening varies irregularly across the motto's length rather than following a consistent directional pattern. The die scratch running south from the S in TRUST provides the essential screening criterion — collectors can rapidly identify candidate proof quarters by locating this linear mark before committing to the high-magnification examination needed to resolve the very close motto doubling. John Flanagan's Washington quarter design positions IGWT along the upper obverse, where proof mirror surfaces can aid detection under carefully controlled lighting.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1960 25¢ Pr WDDO-004
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References