1953-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Submitted by Frank Baumann and cataloged as the first doubled die obverse for the 1953-S Roosevelt Silver Dime, WDDO-001 exhibits Class VI (Extra Design Element) spread directed toward the center on the upper letters of USA and the lower letters of ONE DIME. Class VI doubling is mechanistically distinct from the more common Class I through Class V types: rather than a simple directional shift, it produces what appears as an extra thickness or shadow on specific design elements, often with an inward (centripetal) vector. On this particular die, the spread pulls the secondary impression toward the coin's interior, creating a subtle but measurable thickening on the affected letter strokes of USA at the top of the reverse and ONE DIME at the bottom. Die markers confirm the attribution: on the obverse, a small die gouge appears to the left of the tip of Roosevelt's nose, and another small gouge sits below the second T in TRUST. On the reverse, a strong die scratch running from the southwest to the northeast cuts through the lower portion of the D in UNITED. No other cross-references are known for this variety beyond the Wexler designation 1953-S 10c WDDO-001. The 1953-S Roosevelt Dime was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver at 2.5 grams, and as the sole DDO-001 for this date-mint, it represents the primary doubled die variety for specialists to pursue.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1953-S 10¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References