1961 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team, the 1961 Proof Washington Quarter WDDR-002 displays a very close spread directed toward the center on the branch ends and the lower serifs of some letters in QUARTER DOLLAR. The inward-directed spread — toward the center of the coin rather than outward toward the rim — is characteristic of specific hub rotation patterns where the secondary impression was positioned slightly closer to the design center than the primary. This subtle displacement affects the branch tips and letter serifs most visibly because these fine, pointed design elements amplify small positional differences that might be invisible on broader strokes. The reverse die carries a diagnostic gouge near the rim above the M in AMERICA, confirming attribution to this specific working die. No other cross-references are currently known beyond the Wexler designation as 1961 25c Pr WDDR-002, placing this as the second-ranked doubled die reverse for the 1961 proof date. Proof Washington Quarters from the early 1960s were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver composition — the pre-1965 standard — and their mirror-like fields and sharp strikes make close-spread doubling varieties easier to detect than they would be on circulation-strike counterparts.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1961 25¢ Pr WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References