1947-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die identification UVC-0648 and DMR-004, this 1947-D Washington Silver Quarter DDR-001 presents strong extra thickness on all lettering, the outer wings of the heraldic eagle, the lower leaves, and the stems — an unusually comprehensive doubling pattern where the hub displacement affected virtually every reverse design element, creating broadened and thickened inscriptions and design features across the entire reverse face. Three die stages are documented: Stage A at early die state (EDS), unconfirmed; Stage B at mid-die-state (MDS), unconfirmed; and Stage C at late die state (LDS) with a light die crack running down the eagle's right wing and a die crack across the bust into the queue on the obverse. The Stage C die crack across the bust into the queue (Washington's ponytail) is particularly notable as a major structural failure crossing one of the obverse's most prominent design elements, indicating the obverse die had reached the end of its useful service life. The "strong extra thickness on all lettering" diagnostic means this variety can be detected on virtually any reverse inscription — UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, QUARTER DOLLAR, or E PLURIBUS UNUM — making it one of the more accessible varieties to identify since the doubling is not confined to a single localized area. The 1947-D Washington Silver Quarter was struck at the Denver Mint in 90% silver composition weighing 6.25 grams with a 24.26 mm diameter. John Flanagan designed the Washington portrait obverse after Houdon's famous bust, and the heraldic eagle reverse with laurel and olive branches served from 1932 through 1998. The 1947-D had a mintage of approximately 15.3 million pieces, and the comprehensive nature of the reverse doubling makes DDR-001 the premier doubled die reverse variety for this date-mint combination.

Die Markers

• UVC-0648
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Light Die crack down eagle's Right wing – LDS
• Die crack across bust into queue – LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jose Cortez
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References