1943-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-015

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-0365 and DMR-016, DDO-015 on the 1943-S Washington Quarter presents medium spread on IN GOD WE TRUST and LIB of LIBERTY, with light spread on the profile of John Flanagan's Washington portrait. Three die stages are tracked: Stage A (EDS) and Stage B (MDS) both remain unconfirmed; Stage C (Late Die State) shows a die crack across the base of the bust with the reverse also in LDS — a late-stage die failure marker indicating this die was used until significant cracking developed. The 1943-S Washington Quarter holds particular significance as a World War II-era issue, struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver and 10% copper at 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.3 mm. During 1943, wartime demand for coinage was intense, and the Mint facilities operated at high production levels, with Denver and San Francisco supplementing Philadelphia's output. The medium spread on IN GOD WE TRUST and the partial LIBERTY spread (LIB only, not the full word) create an asymmetric doubling pattern suggesting the hub displacement diminished across the die face from the motto region toward the rim — affecting the three letters closest to the motto (LIB) while falling below the detection threshold on ERTY. The light profile spread on Washington's facial features provides an additional diagnostic, as the curved contours of the nose, chin, and brow amplify even subtle displacement. The Stage C die crack across the bust base serves as a die-state-specific marker, confirming the die had reached its final production phase when coins with this particular cracking pattern were struck.

Die Markers

• UVC-0365
• DMR-016
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Die crack across base of bust – LDS
• Reverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lee Hiemke
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References