1942-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as "1942-D 10-cent WDDO-002," this Mercury Dime exhibits a Class II spread towards the center on the date — a centripetal displacement where the tilted hub pushed the date numerals inward during die preparation. Class II doubling arises from the hub being tilted during impression, generating distortion that varies across the die face depending on each element's distance from the tilt axis. A prominent obverse die marker strengthens attribution: a die crack runs from the rim to the left of the T in LIBERTY down to the feathers on Liberty's Phrygian cap, tracing a substantial path across the obverse. The reverse is documented in late die state with no other noted markers. No cross-references to other attribution systems are known for this variety. Adolph Weinman's Winged Liberty design — popularly called the "Mercury" Dime for the obverse figure's resemblance to the Roman god — was struck at the Denver Mint in 90% silver at 2.5 grams. The 1942-D is a late-series date, as the Mercury Dime was replaced by John R. Sinnock's Roosevelt Dime in 1946. Examine the date for the centripetal Class II spread, then locate the die crack from the rim at T in LIBERTY extending to the feathers to confirm the specific working die.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1942-D 10¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References