1929-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Holding the primary obverse doubled die designation for the 1929-S Mercury dime, DDO-001 exhibits strong spread on the date, designer Adolph A. Weinman's initials AW, and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST — a comprehensive doubling event that affects multiple diagnostic zones across the lower obverse field. The variety carries the cross-reference 1-O-IV+VIII, indicating CONECA classifies the doubling mechanism as a combination of Class IV (Offset Hub) and Class VIII (Tilted Hub), meaning the secondary hubbing impression was both laterally displaced and applied at a slight angle relative to the die surface. VarietyVista documented this die under UVC-044 and DMR-002, and the Fivaz-Stanton designation FS-101 confirms its listing in the Cherry Pickers' Guide as a recognized collectible variety. San Francisco struck approximately 4.73 million Mercury dimes in 1929, a comparatively low mintage that makes this date moderately scarce in the series even without variety premiums. The strong spread designation — the highest magnitude classification — means the doubling is clearly visible under low magnification, with distinctly separated secondary impressions of the date numerals, the AW initials, and the motto letters. The combined Class IV+VIII mechanism explains why the doubling is so pronounced: both offset and tilt contributed to the displacement, producing a compound effect more dramatic than either mechanism alone. As DDO-001, this represents the most significant obverse doubled die for the 1929-S Mercury dime, and the source documentation includes a note requesting specimen examination for new digital photographs, indicating the cataloger seeks updated high-resolution documentation. Collectors should examine the date and IN GOD WE TRUST under even modest magnification, where the strong spread produces readily visible secondary impressions.

Die Markers

• UVC-044, DMR-002

Attribution History

• 1-O-IV+VIII

External References