1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Assigned the WDDO-002 designation for the 1963 Roosevelt silver dime proof, this variety exhibits a close clockwise spread from a pivot at approximately 6 o'clock, affecting the hair at the top of the head and the hair on the back of the head on John R. Sinnock's presidential portrait. This Class V (Pivoted Hub) doubling places the pivot axis near the base of the die, causing elements at the top of the die face — Roosevelt's upper hair and rear hair contours — to receive the greatest rotational displacement while areas near the pivot show minimal movement. The obverse carries a distinctive die marker: a short vertical die gouge to the right of the Y in LIBERTY, providing a secondary diagnostic for confirming the correct die before evaluating the subtle hair doubling. No significant reverse die markers were noted. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1963 10¢ Pr WDDO-002, this proof variety was struck at Philadelphia, which produced approximately 3.08 million proof sets in 1963. Proof dies receive special preparation — polishing and sometimes chrome plating — that creates the mirror-field finish characteristic of proof coins, and this preparation can affect how hub doubling is expressed on the finished die. The clockwise rotational displacement on the hair areas creates subtle contour shifts in the sculpted hair strands, where Roosevelt's hair detail at the top and back of the head shows slightly displaced secondary impressions. The close spread classification means these displaced images nearly overlap the primary hair contours, producing thickened strand profiles rather than clearly separated doubled lines. Collectors should first locate the vertical die gouge to the right of Y in LIBERTY, then examine the hair at the crown and back of Roosevelt's head under 20x magnification with angled illumination that casts shadows across the hair strand relief.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1963 10¢ Pr WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References