1954 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005

Description

Struck as a proof issue at the Philadelphia Mint, the 1954 DDR-005 Washington Silver Quarter presents light spread on the lower right stem, with additional light spread visible on the lower right leaves, the eagle's wing, and the word AMERICA, accompanied by extra thickness on UNITED STATES OF. This proof-only variety was documented by VarietyVista and carries extensive die stage progression data across five documented states spanning two Universal Variety Code pairings. Die markers UVC-0834 / DMR-008 define Stages A through D: Stage A is classified as EDS (unconfirmed); Stage B shows both reverse and obverse at MDS; Stage C introduces parallel die scratches between the wing tip and the Q of QUARTER at LMDS with the obverse also at LMDS; and Stage D exhibits two stronger die scratches running parallel and closer to the rim at LDS with the obverse likewise at LDS. A second die pairing, UVC-0835 / DMR-009, covers Stage E where the die scratches have been removed by abrasion at VLDS and the obverse die was changed to a fresh die at MDS — documenting a deliberate Mint intervention to extend production by removing accumulated damage from the reverse die while pairing it with a new obverse. The Washington Quarter, designed by John Flanagan based on a bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon, was struck in 90% silver (90% silver, 10% copper) weighing 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.3 mm. The five-stage die life progression across two obverse die pairings makes this variety particularly valuable for studying how the Philadelphia Mint managed proof die maintenance during the mid-1950s production era.

Die Markers

• UVC-0834
• DMR-008
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Parallel die scratches between wing tip and Q of QUARTER – LMDS
• Obverse is LMDS
• Stage D:
• Two stronger die scratches parallel and closer to rim – LDS
• Obverse is LDS
• UVC-0835
• DMR-009
• Stage E:
• Die scratches removed by abrasion – VLDS
• Obverse die changed – MDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References