1947-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Second in the Wexler-documented obverse doubled die census for the 1947-S Washington silver quarter, WDDO-002 shows a close clockwise spread pivoting from approximately the 3 o'clock position on the date. This pivot-point description reveals the rotational mechanics of the hub doubling event: the secondary hub impression rotated clockwise around a center near the 3 o'clock position (the right side of the coin), producing maximum displacement on the left side of the die and minimal displacement on the right where the pivot axis lies. The Wexler Team documented distinctive obverse die markers: a short die gouge below the designer's initials (JF for John Flanagan) and a die crack running across the base of Washington's bust. The bust die crack provides both a die identification marker and a die state indicator, as cracks are progressive features that grow during the die's production life. No significant reverse die markers were recorded. San Francisco struck approximately 5.53 million Washington quarters in 1947, a post-war date with a relatively modest S-mint production that contributes to the variety's potential scarcity in the surviving population. Close clockwise spread from a 3 o'clock pivot means the doubling on the date digits is subtle — they sit near the rotation axis and therefore experience minimal displacement — but elements on the opposite side of the die would show proportionally greater doubling if any are affected. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1947-S 25¢ WDDO-002, with no additional attribution system listings currently known. Collectors should first locate the die gouge below the designer's initials and the bust die crack to confirm the correct die, then examine the date under 15-20x magnification for the close clockwise displacement, looking for a slight rotational shift in the digit positions that would be most apparent as angular deviation rather than linear displacement.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1947-S 25¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References