1955-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Holding the premier catalog position for San Francisco-struck 1955 Roosevelt Dime doubled die obverses, WDDO-001 carries the distinction of being the first documented DDO for this date-mintmark combination in the Wexler system (Wexler Variety ID: 1955-S 10c WDDO-001). Roosevelt Silver Dimes from 1946 through 1964 were struck in 90% silver, 10% copper at a weight of 2.5 grams, and the 1955-S issue came from a total mintage of 18,510,000 pieces — a figure that places it in the lower-mintage tier for the silver Roosevelt series without reaching true scarcity. John R. Sinnock's obverse portrait of Franklin Roosevelt, adopted in 1946 shortly after the president's death, provides several diagnostic zones for doubled die examination: the strong left-facing profile with its prominent jawline and ear detail, the IN GOD WE TRUST motto arcing above, LIBERTY along the left rim, and the date at the lower right. Because WDDO-001 occupies the first catalog slot, it may represent either the earliest discovered or the most prominent doubled die obverse known for the 1955-S dime — catalog numbering conventions vary by attribution service. The silver composition of these dimes means that toning and surface reflectivity can either aid or hinder DDO detection depending on the coin's state of preservation; lightly circulated or uncirculated specimens with minimal toning offer the clearest diagnostic surfaces. Raking illumination at a low angle across the motto and LIBERTY inscription will reveal any secondary hub impression displaced from the primary design.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1955-S 10¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References