1948 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-007

Description

Medium spread affecting all lettering, the date, and the designer's initials marks this 1948 Washington Quarter as DDO-007 in the VarietyVista catalog, with die markers UVC-0670 and DMR-008. The comprehensive spread across all major obverse elements — inscription, date, and initials simultaneously — indicates a hub misalignment that affected the full die face rather than isolated areas. Washington quarters of this era were struck in 90% silver, and the 1948 issue represents postwar production fully returned to pre-emergency composition standards. Three die stages are documented. Stage A is early-mid die state, defined by a strong die gouge cutting through LIB of LIBERTY — a prominent and easily located marker. The obverse and reverse are both at mid-die state during Stages A and B. Stage C is late die state, currently unconfirmed. The EMDS Stage A gouge through LIB is the primary die marker for this variety and should be checked first when evaluating a candidate coin. The medium spread on the date numerals is the most accessible starting point for cherrypicking, while the designer's initials and surrounding lettering provide additional confirmation points at higher magnification.

Die Markers

• UVC-0670
• DMR-008
• Stage A:
• Strong die gouge through LIB of LIBERTY – EMDS
• Reverse is EMDS
• Stage
• B:
• Obverse and
• Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Smith
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References