2008 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Doubling visible on the underside of Washington's earlobe marks this 2008 Philadelphia Mint New Mexico State Quarter as one of three documented doubled die obverses for the issue. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID 2008-P 25-cent NM WDDO-003, the obverse die carries two confirming markers: a small die gouge north of the Q of QUARTER and another north of the R in DOLLAR near the queue. The reverse shows die pitting above the right side of the state outline and above the 2 in the date. No other cross-references are known. The 2008 New Mexico quarter was part of the final year of the 50 State Quarters Program (1999-2008), which had revolutionized American numismatics by issuing five new reverse designs annually and drawing millions of new collectors into the hobby. Washington's portrait on the obverse remained constant throughout the program, meaning obverse doubled dies across all fifty state issues share the same design elements — but each represents a unique die with its own markers and doubling characteristics. Earlobe doubling is a subtle but well-documented phenomenon on Washington Quarter obverses, requiring magnification to distinguish from the normal relief of the ear design.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Kenneth Russell Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2008-P 25¢ NM WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References