2008-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 2008-D 25¢ NM SF WDDR-001 and submitted by Bob McCann, this New Mexico State Quarter displays doubling on the bottom right side of the 2nd ray from the left in the rays pointing south on the Zia Sun symbol — a culturally significant design element central to New Mexico's identity, derived from the sacred sun symbol of the Zia Pueblo people. The localized doubling on a single ray within the Zia Sun is diagnostically specific: the ray's linear geometry amplifies even modest hub displacement into detectable extra thickness along its edge, while adjacent rays at different angles relative to the displacement vector may show no doubling at all. Obverse die markers include parallel east-west die scratches running through the lower U of UNITED to the N, a small die gouge (dot) below the bottom left side of the J in the designer's initials. Reverse markers include a short die gouge protruding from the top center of the M in UNUM. The 2008 New Mexico State Quarter was part of the final year of the 50 State Quarters Program (1999-2008), struck at the Denver Mint in copper-nickel clad composition (8.33% nickel, 91.67% copper) weighing 5.67 grams with a 24.26 mm diameter. The New Mexico reverse, designed by Don Everhart, prominently features the Zia Sun symbol over a topographic outline of the state with the inscription "Land of Enchantment." As WDDR-001 for this date-mint-state combination, this is the first and primary cataloged doubled die reverse for the 2008-D New Mexico quarter, holding the lead position in the attribution sequence. Doubled die varieties on State Quarter reverses are particularly collected because the fifty unique pictorial designs each produce distinctive and visually varied doubling manifestations.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Marilyn Keeney Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2008-D 25¢ NM SF WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References