Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Identified by the Wexler Team as 1926-S 50-cent Oregon Trail WDDO-001, this San Francisco Classic Commemorative half dollar is a remarkable quadrupled die obverse. Rather than the typical two hub impressions that create a doubled die, this die received four separate impressions, producing a close Class II spread directed toward the center. The quadrupling is visible on HALF DOLLAR and both coasts of the map design. Reverse die markers include a die crack extending southeast from the G in OREGON, a northeast-to-southwest die crack running through the 19 in the date, and a die crack extending north from the pioneer's head. No obverse die markers have been noted beyond the quadrupling itself. The Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar was issued intermittently from 1926 through 1939 and depicts a Conestoga wagon heading west on the obverse with a Native American standing before a bison on the reverse. Quadrupled dies are exceptionally rare in the hub doubling world, making this variety a standout among Classic Commemorative errors.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted. Reverse: Die crack extends SE from the G in OREGON. NE/SW die crack trough the 19 in the date. Die crack extends N from the pioneer's head.

Attribution History

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1926-S 50¢ Oregon Trail WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References