1946 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-009

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 1946 10¢ WDDO-009, this Roosevelt Silver Dime exhibits a Class V counterclockwise spread from a pivot point at approximately 5 o'clock, visible on the RTY of LIBERTY and the hair details at the top front of Roosevelt's head. The CCW rotation from a 5 o'clock pivot means the secondary hub impression rotated slightly counterclockwise around a point in the lower-right quadrant of the die, producing maximum displacement on design elements furthest from the pivot — which explains why the upper portions of LIBERTY and the top-front hair details show the most visible doubling while elements near the 5 o'clock position remain essentially unaffected. The obverse is classified as Type I, a distinction within the Wexler cataloging system that identifies the specific die variety subtype. Obverse die markers include a north-northeast to south-southwest die scratch connecting the fork and the vertical bar on the right side of the Y in LIBERTY and a northeast-southwest die scratch through the right leg of the R in LIBERTY. The reverse shows a northwest-southeast die scratch through the left leg of the first A in AMERICA and a short heavy west-southwest to east-northeast die gouge between the E of EPU and the U of UNITED. No cross-references to other systems are known. The 1946 Roosevelt Dime is the first year of issue for the denomination's current obverse design, created by John R. Sinnock to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver (90% silver, 10% copper) weighing 2.50 grams with a 17.9 mm diameter, the inaugural year of the Roosevelt Dime carries particular numismatic significance. Finding a doubled die obverse on this first-year issue adds historical dimension to the variety's collecting appeal.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1946 10¢ WDDO-009
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References