1938-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Leading the doubled die obverse catalog for the 1938 San Francisco Washington Quarter, DDO-001 shows light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST and the digit 1 of the date. Cataloged by VarietyVista under UVC-0083 and DMR-002, the die stages reveal progressive structural failure: Stage C shows a strong die crack from the hair to rim through the T of LIBERTY in late die state, accompanied by cracks across the bust, through the eagle's right wing to Q of QUARTER, and through US of PLURIBUS. This constellation of late-state cracks indicates the die served an extended run, accumulating damage well beyond typical retirement thresholds. The 1938-S Washington Quarter was struck in 90% silver during the Great Depression, when reduced economic activity kept mintages modest. The light spread on the motto and date represents the primary attribution, while the dramatic cracking provides staging markers that help collectors identify specimens from the terminal portion of the die's working life.

Die Markers

• UVC-0083
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Strong die crack in hair to rim through T of LIBERTY – LDS
• Die crack across bust
• Die crack down eagle's Right wing extending to Q of QUARTER – LDS
• Die crack though US of PLURIBUS to wing under AMER of AMERICA

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lee Hiemke
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References