1960 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1960 25-cent Proof WDDR-002 and cross-referenced as CONECA 3-R-II, this proof Washington Silver Quarter doubled die reverse exhibits a strong spread towards the center on a comprehensive array of reverse elements. The affected areas include USA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, QUARTER DOLLAR, both branch ends, and both lower wings of the heraldic eagle — covering inscriptions, denomination text, botanical details, and the eagle's anatomy in a single hub displacement event. The inward (toward-center) direction means the secondary hub impression was offset toward the die center, producing doubled images that appear inside (centripetally) relative to each primary design element. Obverse die markers include a small die gouge (appearing as a dot) on the lower part of the vertical bar of the second T in TRUST. Reverse die markers show a die gouge on the lower leaf above the T in QUARTER and a die scratch on the lower U in UNITED. The CONECA cross-reference 3-R-II identifies this as the third reverse variety in the Class II (distorted hub) category for the date. As a proof issue struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this quarter was produced on polished planchets in 90% silver composition, weighing 6.25 grams at 24.3 mm diameter. The proof surfaces provide excellent contrast for observing the strong center-directed spread, as the mirrored fields make even moderate design element displacement visually prominent. John Flanagan designed the Washington Quarter, with the heraldic eagle reverse featuring the eagle perched atop a bundle of arrows with olive branches — design elements whose strong directional lines make the center-directed spread particularly diagnostic on the branch ends and wing tips.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: 3-R-II
• CONECA: 3-R-II; Wexler Variety ID: 1960 25¢ Pr WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References