1940-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Carrying the primary reverse doubled die designation for the 1940-S Mercury dime, DDR-001 exhibits light spread on STATES OF, the uppermost right branch, leaves, and the top of the fasces on Adolph Weinman's reverse design. Cross-referenced as 1-R-II-C in the CONECA classification system, this variety carries an additional significant attribution: the obverse is listed as DDO-002, making this a combination die where both obverse and reverse carry independently cataloged doubled die varieties. Furthermore, the Cherrypickers' Guide cross-reference FS-101/801 confirms recognition in the standard reference for collectible die varieties. VarietyVista assigned die markers UVC-117 and DMR-003. San Francisco struck approximately 21.56 million Mercury dimes in 1940, a wartime-era mintage that preceded the even larger production demands of the full mobilization years. The combination of DDR-001 with DDO-002 on the same die pair means that both the obverse and reverse dies independently received doubled hub impressions — a statistically unusual convergence that makes specimens from this die marriage doubly attributable and correspondingly more desirable to variety collectors. Light spread on STATES OF, the uppermost right branch, leaves, and fasces top covers the right-center and upper portions of the reverse, where Weinman's Classical-inspired design provides organic shapes — branch, leaves — alongside the geometric fasces that together offer multiple textural surfaces for detecting hub doubling. The Cherrypickers' Guide listing at FS-101/801 indicates this variety has been assessed as significant enough for inclusion in the mainstream variety reference, elevating it above the many doubled dies that exist only in specialist catalogs. Collectors should examine both sides under 10-15x magnification, checking the reverse STATES OF lettering and the obverse for DDO-002 characteristics.

Die Markers

• UVC-117, DMR-003

Attribution History

• 1-R-II-C

External References