1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Primary doubled die obverse for the 1963 Proof Roosevelt Silver Dime — holding the coveted WDDO-001 catalog position in the Wexler system — this variety displays a counterclockwise spread from a pivot point at approximately the 7:00 position. The rotational doubling manifests on the TY of LIBERTY, the hair at the top of Roosevelt's head, and the hair on the back of the head, with slight doubling also visible at the bottom of the one in the date. The pivot-point notation is particularly informative: it tells attributors that the doubling was produced by a slight rotation of the hub during a secondary impression, with the center of rotation located at the lower-left area of the die. Design elements closer to this pivot point show minimal displacement while those further away — like the top and back of the head and the TY at the far end of LIBERTY — display proportionally greater spread. John Sinnock's Roosevelt portrait, with its detailed hair rendering, responds clearly to rotational doubling because the fine parallel lines of the hair create interference patterns when overlapping secondary impressions are introduced. No significant die markers have been identified on either obverse or reverse, which is unusual for a WDDO-001 — the primary position typically suggests this was either the first variety discovered for the date or the most prominent, and its characterization suggests the latter. No cross-references to other attribution systems are currently known. As a proof issue from the penultimate year of silver Roosevelt Dime production, WDDO-001 combines precious metal content, proof quality surfaces, and the primary catalog designation in a single collectible package.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1963 10¢ Pr WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References