1976-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Advancing beyond the light-class DDO-002 in both doubling intensity and affected design elements, the 1976-S Bicentennial quarter DDO-003 presents medium hub doubling on WE TRUST and the TY of LIBERTY. This selective inscription coverage — affecting the end of the motto and the end of LIBERTY — creates an asymmetric doubling pattern consistent with pivoted hub displacement where the spread increases from left to right across the obverse. VarietyVista catalogs this CN clad proof under UVC-482 with die marriage reference DMR-007, tracking three die stages: Stage A with obverse and reverse in Early Die State, Stage B in Mid Die State (unconfirmed), and Stage C in Late Die State (unconfirmed). The medium classification on WE TRUST means the doubling should be detectable under moderate magnification, while the TY of LIBERTY provides secondary confirmation. San Francisco produced both copper-nickel clad and 40% silver versions of the Bicentennial quarter proof, with this CN clad version included in standard proof sets. The dual "1776-1976" date commemorated the nation's two-hundredth birthday, and Jack Ahr's Colonial Drummer boy reverse design distinguished these quarters from the standard eagle reverse. DDO-003's medium spread on WE TRUST and partial LIBERTY coverage gives variety specialists two distinct diagnostic zones — collectors should start with WE TRUST for initial detection, then confirm by checking TY at the end of LIBERTY, where the doubling should display a consistent directional character matching the WE TRUST displacement.

Die Markers

• UVC-482
• DMR-007
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Clough
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References