1955 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Discovered by Lee Hiemke, DDO-004 on the 1955 proof Washington quarter shows extra thickness on LIBERTY — a form of hub doubling where the secondary impression nearly overlaps the primary, broadening letter strokes rather than producing clearly separated images. As a proof coin struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this quarter was manufactured on specially selected planchets hand-fed into presses with polished dies, receiving multiple strikes for the mirror fields and frosted devices collectors prize. Proof dies were used for far fewer strikes than business strike dies, meaning doubled die proof varieties typically survive in smaller numbers. The 1955 proof quarter was available only through proof sets sold by the Mint, ensuring virtually every example was preserved from production. The 90% silver composition adds precious metal value alongside the variety premium. Extra thickness on LIBERTY, while less dramatic than separation doubling, is a genuine hub artifact — examine the L, I, and B for telltale broadening.

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