2008 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-006

Description

Documented by VarietyVista, the 2008 DDR-006 New Mexico State Quarter displays strong spread to the east manifesting as an extra lower vertical bar to the lower left loop of the Zia Pueblo sun symbol — a distinctive doubling location because the Zia symbol's geometric precision (four groups of rays extending from a central circle) makes even modest displacement immediately apparent against the symbol's clean straight lines and circular curves. Die markers UVC-1873 / DMR-010 track three stages: Stage A at EDS (unconfirmed); Stage B at EMDS with a strong die crack above the right top state outline and a die chip between the designer's initials; and Stage C at LDS (unconfirmed). The strong die crack above the state outline in Stage B documents structural failure in the die at the boundary between the detailed state map and the surrounding field area, where the abrupt transition in relief depth concentrates striking forces. The New Mexico State Quarter was issued in 2008 as the 47th coin in the State Quarter program (1999-2008), featuring the Zia Pueblo sun symbol superimposed on a topographic outline of New Mexico beneath the motto "Land of Enchantment." Struck in copper-nickel clad composition weighing 5.67 grams with a diameter of 24.26 mm, this coin was among the final five issues completing the 50-state program. The Zia sun symbol — sacred to the Zia Pueblo people of New Mexico and also featured on the state flag — provides an especially effective diagnostic surface for doubled die detection because its radiating geometric bars create sharp edges that register even slight hub displacement with high visibility, making DDR varieties on this design easier to detect than on many other State Quarter reverses with more organic imagery.

Die Markers

• UVC-1873
• DMR-010
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Strong die crack above right top state outline – EMDS
• Die chip between designer's initials – EMDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Randy O'Donnell
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References