1961 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-009

Description

Ninth in the Wexler reverse doubled die census for the 1961 Roosevelt dime, WDDR-009 exhibits a spread towards the center on multiple reverse inscription elements: USA, ONE, E PLU, and UNUM — an inward-directed displacement that affects both the denomination and the motto on John R. Sinnock's reverse design. The center-directed spread indicates the secondary hub impression was displaced radially inward from the primary, pushing the secondary images toward the torch and olive branch at the reverse center rather than along the periphery. The Wexler Team noted no significant obverse die markers, but the reverse carries a diagnostic die scratch running east-northeast from the upper right R in AMERICA through the top of the I — a feature that provides a fingerprint for confirming the correct die independent of the doubling. The cross-reference notation includes "Pr" in the Wexler Variety ID (1961 10¢ Pr WDDR-009), indicating this is a proof variety — struck at the Philadelphia Mint using polished dies and specially prepared planchets for inclusion in the 1961 proof set. Philadelphia produced approximately 3.03 million proof dimes in 1961, a controlled production environment where proof dies received more careful preparation and inspection than circulation strike dies. The proof context means specimens will exhibit mirror-like fields and frosted design elements, and the doubling must be distinguished from the inherently sharp strike characteristics of proof coinage. Collectors should first locate the diagnostic die scratch from the R through the I of AMERICA on the reverse, then examine USA, ONE, E PLU, and UNUM under 15-20x magnification for the center-directed spread, where secondary impressions of these letters will appear slightly displaced inward toward the reverse center.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1961 10¢ Pr WDDR-009
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References