2001 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Originating from a completely different die yet showing doubling in the same location as DDO-001, this 2001 North Carolina State Quarter DDO-002 displays medium spread as extra hair curls behind Washington's ear. While DDO-001 exhibits strong spread, DDO-002 shows a more moderate secondary impression in the same general area, requiring somewhat higher magnification to confirm. The fact that two separate dies produced doubled die obverses with doubling in the identical portrait region suggests a systemic issue with hub alignment during the production run for this date. Stage A documentation records both the obverse and reverse in early-to-mid die state, matching the die state profile of DDO-001. Cataloged by VarietyVista, this Philadelphia Mint issue is the second doubled die obverse documented for the 2001 North Carolina quarter. The extra hair curls behind Washington's ear became one of the signature cherrypicking points for State Quarter collectors, as the location is consistent and relatively easy to examine. Distinguishing DDO-002 from DDO-001 requires attention to the intensity of the spread — medium versus strong — and careful comparison of any accompanying die markers that uniquely identify each working die.

Die Markers

• UVC-????
• DMR-00?
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EMDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert Umbarger
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References