1940-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista, the 1940-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004 on the Washington Silver Quarter shows a medium spread on the OD of GOD, WE, and UST of TRUST. The Washington Quarter, designed by John Flanagan based on the Jean-Antoine Houdon bust of Washington, was struck at the Denver Mint in 90% silver (6.25 grams, 24.3 mm diameter). Die markers are UVC-0132 and DMR-005, with three documented die states: Stage A with both obverse and reverse at Early Die State, Stage B showing a die crack across the bust extending into the field in front of and behind the queue (the tied ponytail of Washington's hair) at Mid Die State with the reverse also at MDS, and Stage C at Late Die State (unconfirmed). The die crack across the bust in Stage B is a particularly dramatic marker, as it spans the entire width of the portrait. The 1940-D had a mintage of 2,797,600, making it one of the lower-mintage Denver issues in the pre-war Washington Quarter series. The medium spread affecting multiple elements of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST indicates the hub shifted between impressions during die manufacture, with the doubling concentrated on the right side of the motto text.

Die Markers

• UVC-0132
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• Die crack across bust into field in front and queue behind – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Steve McIntyre
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References