2015 (D) Saratoga National Historical Park Quarter - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

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 Barbara Fox and sculpted by Renata Gordon, depicts the surrender of British General John Burgoyne in 1777 as a close-up of his hand passing his sword to American General Horatio Gates — the hands, sword hilt and lettering provide 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 (75% copper / 25% 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.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2015-D 25¢ NY WDDR-001

External References