1928-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Second documented doubled die obverse for the low-mintage 1928-D Mercury Dime, DDO-002 shares the same affected design areas as DDO-001 — light spread on the date and designer initials AW — but is attributed to a different die, as confirmed by distinct die markers UVC-279 and DMR-003 and the separate cross-reference designation 2-O-II-C. The "2" prefix in the CONECA cross-reference distinguishes it from the "1" prefix of DDO-001, while the II-C classification is identical, meaning both varieties resulted from Class II pivoted hub doubling — the same mechanical process but occurring on two separate dies. Denver's 4.16 million dimes in 1928 represents one of the lower production figures in the Mercury Dime series, and the existence of two distinct doubled die obverses from this limited output indicates that the hubbing conditions at Denver during 1928 die preparation were conducive to rotational misalignment. Each DDO required its own hub-to-die impression error, so two DDOs from a low-mintage date suggests a hub or press condition that persisted across multiple die sinkings. Light spread on both varieties means careful magnification is necessary, and collectors must differentiate between DDO-001 and DDO-002 through their die markers rather than doubling characteristics alone, since both affect the date and initials with similar intensity.

Die Markers

• UVC-279, DMR-003

Attribution History

• 2-O-II-C

External References