1956 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-008

Description

Distinguished from its proof-strike counterparts by its business-strike origin, DDR-008 on the 1956 Washington Quarter is a circulation-issue coin exhibiting medium extra thickness across four reverse elements: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, QUARTER DOLLAR, and the olive branch stems. Lee Hiemke reported this variety, which carries Reverse Die Variety designation RDV-001. The four-element spread covering both major inscriptions, the denomination, and a botanical design detail confirms a broad hub displacement that affected much of John Flanagan's reverse die face, with the olive branch stems providing an especially sensitive diagnostic surface where even moderate thickening creates visibly broader botanical lines. The medium intensity classification means the extra thickness is detectable at moderate magnification and produces perceptibly heavier letter strokes and stem lines compared to normal specimens. The RDV-001 designation identifies the specific reverse design variant from which this working die was produced, connecting it to the primary reverse hub for the date. As a business-strike variety, DDR-008 would have entered general circulation through normal banking channels, meaning examples may exist in a wide range of grades from well-worn to uncirculated — in contrast to proof varieties of the same date, which were sold exclusively through proof sets and typically survive in higher grades. The 1956 Washington Quarter was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 6.25 grams, representing one of the later years of the silver era before the 1965 transition to copper-nickel clad. The eighth catalog position reflects the prolific population of reverse doubled dies documented for the 1956 date, spanning both proof and business-strike issues. Examination under 7x magnification at the olive branch stems and QUARTER DOLLAR best confirms the medium extra thickness.

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