1950-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista, the 1950-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001 on the Washington Silver Quarter exhibits a medium spread on the leaves above the wreath, especially prominent in front of the arrow points, with additional doubling visible on the tail feathers, eagle's feet, and talons. The Washington Quarter was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver (6.25 grams, 24.3 mm diameter), with John Flanagan's Washington portrait and heraldic eagle reverse. The 1950-S had a mintage of 10,284,004 pieces. VarietyVista assigns die markers UVC-0736 and DMR-002 with three documented die stages: Stage A at Early Die State (unconfirmed), Stage B at Mid Die State showing strong die scratches through the lower E of AMERICA, three horizontal die scratches between the leaves above the wreath bow, and a heavy die scratch running north-south behind the head on the obverse, and Stage C at Late Die State with a die crack running down the eagle's right wing plus a light die crack in the upper hair. VarietyVista commentary notes RDV-001 / RDV-002, indicating reverse die variety sub-classifications. The progressive die crack development from mid to late die state — particularly the wing crack in Stage C — means earlier die state examples tend to show cleaner doubling without the visual interference of crack lines, making EDS specimens more desirable for photography and display purposes. The DDR-001 designation as the first cataloged doubled die reverse for this date-mint confirms its early recognition.

Die Markers

• UVC-0736
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Strong die scratches through lower E of AMERICA – MDS
• Three horizontal die scratches between leaves above bow
• Heavy die scratch North-South behind head – MDS
• Stage C:
• Die crack down eagle's Right wing – LDS
• Light die crack in upper hair – LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Michael L. Ellis
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References