1942-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1942-D 10¢ WDDO-001, this Mercury Dime presents one of the more dramatic doubled die varieties in the series — a 1942 date hubbed over a 1941 date, creating an overdate effect where elements of the underlying 1941 numerals are visible beneath the final 1942 date. The 1, 9, and 4 are doubled with the 4 showing the strongest effect, while the second digit shows the underlying 1 weakly visible slightly inside and below the overlying 2. Additionally, a spread to the east shows on IGWT (IN GOD WE TRUST), and a close counterclockwise spread shows on LIBERTY, especially on the LI — documenting hub doubling effects across multiple obverse elements beyond just the date. The obverse die marker is a short die gouge running east from the lower right of the 9. The reverse carries its own significant variety: a repunched mintmark listed separately in the Wexler files as 1942-D 10¢ WRPM-004, described as D/D Southwest — meaning this die pair combines a doubled die obverse with a repunched mintmark reverse, creating a dual-variety combination that enhances its numismatic significance. The Mercury Dime, officially the Winged Liberty Head Dime, was designed by Adolph A. Weinman and struck at the Denver Mint in 1942 in 90% silver composition weighing 2.50 grams with a 17.9 mm diameter. The 1942/1941 overdate mechanism occurred during the hub-to-die transfer process when a hub bearing the 1942 date was impressed into a working die that had already received an impression from a 1941-dated hub, or when master die date changes left residual elements. This DDO/RPM combination variety is among the most collectible doubled dies in the Mercury Dime series.

Attribution History

• s:; Wexler Variety ID: 1942-D 10¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References