2015-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Holding the first position in the Wexler doubled die reverse census for the 2015-D Saratoga National Historical Park Quarter, this variety — cataloged as Wexler Variety ID 2015-D 25¢ NY WDDR-001 — records a hubbing misalignment on the Denver Mint's reverse die that produced visible doubling on the reverse design elements. The Saratoga Quarter's reverse, designed by Frank Morris, depicts the surrender of British General John Burgoyne in 1777, a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War — a historically complex scene featuring multiple human figures, military regalia, and background elements that provide numerous reference points for detecting hub displacement. The "D" mintmark identifies this as a Denver Mint production, distinguishing it from Philadelphia-struck varieties that carry their own separate WDDR sequences. As WDDR-001 for the Saratoga issue, this was among the earliest doubled die discoveries documented on the design, likely reported shortly after the quarter entered circulation or was obtained from mint-sealed rolls. The 2015 America the Beautiful series included five parks — Homestead, Kisatchie, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bombay Hook, and Saratoga — each with its own distinct reverse design, and the Saratoga release was the final issue of the 2015 program year. Struck in copper-nickel clad composition (91.67% copper / 8.33% nickel outer layers over pure copper core) at 5.67 grams, the quarter's clad metallurgy can affect how hub doubling transfers compared to precious metal compositions. Collectors searching for this variety should examine the reverse under 7x to 10x magnification, paying particular attention to lettering and the figural elements of the surrender scene where doubling is most likely to manifest.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ronald Burke Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2015-D 25¢ NY WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References