1960 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-006

Description

Sixth documented doubled die reverse for the 1960 proof Washington Silver Quarter, WDDR-006 presents a close spread directed toward the center on QUARTER DOLLAR and both branch ends — the olive branch and arrows that flank the eagle on John Flanagan's reverse design. The toward-center direction indicates the secondary hub impression was displaced inward from the die perimeter, and the "close" modifier means the separation between primary and secondary images is narrow, requiring careful magnification to resolve. The 1960 proof quarter was struck in 90% silver, part of the final era of silver proof coinage before the Coinage Act of 1965 transitioned circulating coins and most proofs to clad composition. No significant die markers have been noted by the Wexler Team on either obverse or reverse beyond the doubling itself. Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1960 25c Pr WDDR-006, six documented WDDR varieties for a single proof date demonstrates the depth of research on Washington Quarter proofs from this period. The involvement of both branch ends — botanical design elements flanking the heraldic eagle — extends the diagnostic beyond the denomination text and into the pictorial portion of the reverse. Branch ends are particularly useful diagnostic areas because their tapered, detailed forms reveal doubling more readily than broader design elements, as even small displacements create visible splitting or shadowing at the tips.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1960 25¢ Pr WDDR-006
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References