2009 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-014

Description

Medium spread to the north creates an extra first black piano key on this 2009 District of Columbia Satin Finish quarter — a doubled die reverse affecting the instrument most associated with the quarter's honoree, Duke Ellington. Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDR-014 with die classification UVC-1794 and die marriage DMR-016, both obverse and reverse appear in early die state, with mid and late die states unconfirmed. The DC quarter's reverse, designed by Don Everhart, depicts Duke Ellington seated at a grand piano, making this the first U.S. circulating coin to honor a musician and one of the few to depict a specific individual on the reverse alongside the seated figure's piano. The northward spread on the piano key is a particularly fitting location for doubled die doubling — the displacement literally adds an extra note to Ellington's instrument. Part of the 2009 DC & US Territories series, the DC quarter appeared alongside five territory issues. Satin Finish specimens, produced exclusively for Mint uncirculated sets from 2005 through 2010, carry a distinctive matte surface treatment. Struck on copper-nickel clad at 24.3mm. Look for the extra piano key created by the northward hub doubling displacement.

Die Markers

• UVC-1794
• DMR-016
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References