1943-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1943-D 25¢ WDDO-003, this Washington Silver Quarter exhibits a very close counterclockwise spread from a pivot point at approximately 9 o'clock, visible on the RTY of LIBERTY, the 43 in the date, and the lower ribbon — a tight rotational displacement where the pivot's position on the left side of the die means the rightmost and bottommost elements show the greatest angular separation. Obverse die markers include a die crack running east-west through the hair above the forehead and through the hair at the top of the head, then extending out to the T in LIBERTY, plus a separate die crack across the base of the bust. Reverse die markers show a die crack running down the eagle's right wing and another running from the S in PLURIBUS to the eagle's left wing and then down the left wing. No additional cross-references beyond the Wexler designation are currently known. The extensive die crack networks on both faces — spanning the obverse from hair through LIBERTY and the reverse from PLURIBUS across both wings — document a well-used die pair with significant structural deterioration on both sides. The 1943-D Washington Quarter was struck at the Denver Mint in 90% silver composition (90% silver, 10% copper) weighing 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.26 mm during World War II. John Flanagan's design features Washington's portrait based on Houdon's bust. The very close spacing of the CCW spread means this doubled die requires careful examination under 10x or higher magnification, as the narrow separation between primary and secondary impressions can be easily overlooked without proper lighting angles that highlight the subtle duplication on LIBERTY, the date digits, and the ribbon area.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1943-D 25¢ WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References