1940-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Fourth documented doubled die obverse for the 1940-D Mercury Dime, DDO-004 continues the pattern of Class II-C pivoted hub doubling that characterizes multiple varieties from this date, showing light spread on the date and Adolph Weinman's designer initials AW. Denver struck 21.2 million dimes in 1940, a solid production figure that placed numerous coins into circulation and provided die variety researchers with a workable population to examine. Cross-referenced as 4-O-II-C under CONECA classification, the identical Class II-C mechanism across DDO-001 through DDO-004 suggests that the hub or hubbing press conditions at Denver during 1940 die preparation systematically favored this particular type of rotational misalignment. Die markers UVC-268 and DMR-013 distinguish this fourth die from the other three documented DDO dies. With four DDOs sharing the same doubling class and affecting the same design elements, differentiation between varieties depends entirely on die markers — the secondary scratches, gouges, and polishing characteristics unique to each individual die. The 1940-D Mercury Dime occupies the later portion of the Winged Liberty Head series, which would end in 1945, and four doubled die obverses from a single date and mint represents a robust census that rewards persistent searching by variety specialists.

Die Markers

• UVC-268, DMR-013

Attribution History

• 4-O-II-C

External References