1943 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-041

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die marker codes UVC-0508 and DMR-049, this 1943 Washington Silver Quarter DDO-041 exhibits light spread on LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and the ribbon end — a distributed doubling pattern affecting multiple design elements across the obverse die face. Three die stages have been documented: Stage A in early die state (EDS), unconfirmed; Stage B at mid-die-state (MDS) showing a die crack across the upper hair, a die crack across the bust, and a die crack running down the eagle's right wing on the reverse; and Stage C in late die state (LDS), also unconfirmed. The progressive die crack system documented in Stage B reveals the structural deterioration path this die followed during its service life — cracks developing independently in three high-stress areas (hair, bust, and wing) that each concentrate striking forces due to their elevated relief and geometric complexity. The Washington Silver Quarter, designed by John Flanagan based on Jean-Antoine Houdon's bust of George Washington, was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1943 during World War II. The coin is composed of 90% silver (90% silver, 10% copper) weighing 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.26 mm. The 1943 date falls during the wartime period when base metals were being conserved for military use, though the quarter's silver composition was maintained throughout the war unlike the cent, which switched to zinc-coated steel that same year. The light spread across LIBERTY, IGWT, and the date indicates a subtle hub displacement that affected the entire obverse face, making this variety one that requires careful examination under 7x to 10x magnification to fully appreciate the extent of doubling across all affected elements.

Die Markers

• UVC-0508
• DMR-049
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die crack across upper hair – MDS
• Die crack across bust
• Die crack down eagle's Right wing – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References