1959 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Bearing the DDO-002 designation for the 1959 Washington silver quarter, this variety presents medium spread across IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and LIBERTY — three of the most prominent obverse elements on John Flanagan's design that has graced the quarter since 1932. VarietyVista cataloged this die under UVC-0934 and DMR-005, with the significant cross-reference FS-102 confirming its recognition in the Fivaz-Stanton Cherry Pickers' Guide, which elevates DDO-002 above many uncatalogued doubled dies by providing mainstream collector awareness and published identification guidance. Three die stages track this variety's production life: Stage A with both obverse and reverse in early die state, Stage B at mid die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C where both surfaces have progressed to late die state. The 1959 Philadelphia quarter carries a mintage of approximately 25.5 million pieces, the final year of 90% silver composition before the Coinage Act of 1965 transitioned quarters to copper-nickel clad. Medium spread across multiple obverse legends indicates a substantial hub misalignment that displaced the secondary impression broadly rather than affecting a single localized area, and the inclusion of both the motto and date among affected elements provides multiple diagnostic checkpoints for attribution. The EDS confirmation for Stage A ensures fresh-die specimens exist with maximum doubling clarity, while the LDS progression to Stage C demonstrates this die saw extended production service. Collectors should examine IN GOD WE TRUST first, where the serif-heavy lettering reveals medium displacement most clearly, then confirm by checking the date digits under 10-15x magnification for consistent directional spread.

Die Markers

• UVC-0934
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• FS-102
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References