1939 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as WDDO-004 on the 1939 Mercury Dime and cross-referenced as CONECA 1-O-II and formerly listed as Cherrypickers' FS-10-1939-101 (removed in the 6th Edition), this doubled die obverse exhibits a spread towards the center on the date — a contraction-type doubling indicating the secondary hub impression was slightly reduced in scale relative to the primary. Two obverse die stages document the progression of this die: Stage A shows a short die scratch running east-northeast from the lower back of the neck, and Stage B preserves the same scratch. The reverse evolved more dramatically between stages — Stage A carries a die gouge running west to east through the upper UNI in UNITED and a die scratch running WNW to ESE through the upper AT in STATES, while Stage B received a completely new reverse die pairing showing numerous WSW to ENE die scratches through UNI in UNITED. This reverse die change mid-production demonstrates the practical reality of Mint operations where worn reverse dies were replaced while the obverse die continued in service. Adolph Weinman's Winged Liberty Head design, commonly called the Mercury Dime, was struck in 90% silver at 2.50 grams with a 17.91 mm diameter. The 1939 Philadelphia issue saw a mintage of approximately 67.7 million pieces, reflecting the economic recovery underway before America's entry into World War II. The removal of this variety from the Cherrypickers' Guide 6th Edition does not diminish its attribution validity but reflects editorial decisions about inclusion thresholds in that particular reference.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: 1-O-II, Cherrypickers: FS-10-1939-101 (Removed in 6th Edition)
• CONECA: 1-O-II, Cherrypickers: FS-10-1939-101 (Removed in 6th Edition); Wexler Variety ID: 1939 10¢ WDDO-004
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References