1964 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1964 25¢ Pr WDDO-002, this proof Washington Quarter displays a directional spread outward toward the rim on LIBERTY — a displacement pattern indicating the secondary hub impression shifted radially away from the die center, pushing the doubled image of each letter in LIBERTY toward the coin's periphery. No significant die markers have been noted on either the obverse or reverse, meaning attribution relies primarily on the spread itself and its precise direction and magnitude on the LIBERTY inscription. Outward-directed spread on LIBERTY is diagnostically clear because the word's position on the obverse creates a clean visual reference: the secondary image sits outside (rimward of) the primary letters, producing a subtle shadow effect best observed on the vertical strokes of L, I, and the crossbar connections. The 1964 proof Washington Quarter holds special numismatic significance as the final year of 90% silver composition for the denomination — the Coinage Act of 1965 transitioned quarters to copper-nickel clad beginning with 1965 production, making 1964 proofs the last silver proof quarters until the resumption of silver proof sets decades later. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint on polished planchets with mirror-finish dies, the reflective proof surfaces amplify even subtle directional spread against the mirrored fields. At 6.25 grams of 90% silver, these proofs were sold exclusively through annual proof sets and remain widely collected as both a type coin and a silver-era farewell.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1964 25¢ Pr WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References