1943 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-023

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-0309 and DMR-024, this 1943 Washington Silver Quarter DDO-023 displays strong spread on the lower letters of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the designer's initials, with light spread on the date — a distribution pattern where the doubling is most pronounced on the lower-positioned design elements and diminishes on the date, suggesting a hub displacement geometry that concentrated maximum offset in the upper portions of the die face where LIBERTY and the motto reside. Three die stages are documented: Stage A at early die state is unconfirmed; Stage B shows both obverse and reverse at mid-die-state; Stage C at late die state is identified by a light die crack across the base of the bust, with the reverse also in late die state. The Stage C die crack across the bust base documents progressive structural failure that helps collectors identify late-state specimens and provides chronological positioning within the die's production life. The 1943 Washington Silver Quarter was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver composition (90% silver, 10% copper) weighing 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.26 mm — wartime silver quarter production continued uninterrupted unlike the cent denomination, which switched to steel in 1943. John Flanagan designed the Washington Quarter obverse based on Jean-Antoine Houdon's bust of George Washington, and the heraldic eagle reverse served from 1932 through 1998. The strong doubling on the lower LIBERTY letters and the IN GOD WE TRUST motto makes DDO-023 one of the more visually accessible doubled die obverse varieties for the 1943 date, with the designer's initials providing an additional compact diagnostic zone.

Die Markers

• UVC-0309
• DMR-024
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Light die crack across base of bust – LDS
• Reverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lee Hiemke
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References