1943 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-049

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-2396 and DMR-058, the 1943 Washington Silver Quarter DDO-049 exhibits strong spread across multiple obverse elements including LI of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, the ear, and the back of the hair curls behind Washington's head. The strong classification means the doubling is prominent and detectable with minimal magnification, making this one of the more visually dramatic doubled die obverses for wartime Washington Quarters. Three die stages are documented: Stage A shows a die scratch through the lower 19 of the date in early die state with the reverse also in early die state, Stage B is mid-die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C is late die state (unconfirmed). The die scratch through the lower portion of the 19 in early die state provides a valuable die stage sequencing marker, as its presence or absence on a given specimen helps collectors determine when in the die's production life their coin was struck. The 1943 Washington Quarter was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 6.25 grams at 24.3 mm diameter, with a mintage of 99,700,000 pieces — a substantial wartime production run. The 49th cataloged doubled die obverse for 1943 reflects extraordinarily thorough variety documentation for this date, likely driven by the large die population required for such high mintage. The spread on the ear and hair curls is particularly useful diagnostically, as these curved design elements amplify directional offset.

Die Markers

• UVC-2396
• DMR-058
• Stage A:
• Die scratch through lower 19 of date – EDS
• Reverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert Umbarger
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References