1964 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-017

Description

Seventeenth reverse doubled die documented by the Wexler Team for the 1964 Roosevelt dime proof, WDDR-017 presents notching on UNITED and extra thickness on the E PLU of E PLURIBUS UNUM. John R. Sinnock's Roosevelt dime reverse features the torch, olive and oak branches, denomination, and national inscription — and the combination of notching (a stepped or jagged effect on letter edges) and extra thickness (broadened strokes from closely overlapping impressions) across different inscription areas suggests the hub displacement produced varying visual effects depending on the letterform geometry at each location. Obverse die markers note a blunt tail 9 in the date with no other significant markers, while the reverse carries two diagnostic features: two diagonal die gouges on the N in UNITED and several die scratches on the N in ONE. The reverse die markers on both N characters — diagonal gouges on one and scratches on the other — provide a distinctive two-point identification protocol that fingerprints this working die reliably. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1964 10c Pr WDDR-017, the "Pr" notation confirms this as a proof variety struck at Philadelphia using polished dies and specially prepared planchets. Philadelphia's 1964 proof production encompassed millions of proof sets in the final year of 90% silver dime production. The notching effect on UNITED indicates the doubled impression created step-like disruptions along the letter edges rather than smooth parallel contours, while the extra thickness on E PLU shows more conventional close-spread doubling where the secondary impression broadens the stroke width. Collectors should first identify the diagonal die gouges on the N of UNITED and the scratches on the N of ONE to confirm the correct die, then examine the UNITED letters for edge notching and E PLU for thickened strokes under 15-20x magnification with fiber-optic illumination.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1964 10¢ Pr WDDR-017
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References