1971-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

One of the most celebrated doubled die varieties in the Washington quarter series, the 1971-D WDDR-001 exhibits a very strong Class I counterclockwise spread on USA, QUARTER DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the wreath — affecting virtually every major design element on the reverse. The Wexler Team cataloged this under Wexler Variety ID: 1971-D 25c WDDR-001, with cross-references from CONECA (1-R-V) and the Cherrypickers' Guide (FS-25-1971D-801, catalog 027.8), confirming its recognition across the major attribution systems. Class I (Rotated Hub) doubling with counterclockwise spread indicates the secondary hub impression rotated relative to the primary in a counterclockwise direction, producing displacement that varies in magnitude and direction across different areas of the die — design elements further from the rotation's pivot point show greater separation than those near it. The very strong designation places this variety at the most dramatic end of the doubling visibility spectrum, with clearly separated secondary images visible at low magnification. Denver struck approximately 258.6 million quarters in 1971, the first year of copper-nickel clad quarter production following the silver elimination of the mid-1960s. No significant obverse or reverse die markers beyond the doubling itself were noted. The breadth of affected design elements — spanning the national abbreviation, denomination, Latin motto, and the entire heraldic wreath — demonstrates a substantial rotational displacement that influenced the full reverse die surface. The Cherrypickers' Guide listing signals that this variety is considered significant enough for inclusion in the standard reference for valuable die varieties, making it a sought-after find for collectors examining rolls and bags of 1971-D quarters. The doubling on QUARTER DOLLAR is typically the first diagnostic noticed, with the secondary letters clearly offset from the primary inscription.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ralph Huntzinger Cross References: CONECA: 1-R-V, Cherrypickers: FS-25-1971D-801 (027.8)
• CONECA: 1-R-V, Cherrypickers: FS-25-1971D-801 (027.8); Wexler Variety ID: 1971-D 25¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References