1962-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista with a complex die history spanning two universal variety codes, this 1962-D Washington Silver Quarter DDR-001 displays medium spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM — a moderately visible doubling affecting the two primary reverse inscriptions. The die staging documents an obverse die change: UVC-1020 with DMR-007 covers Stages A and B, while UVC-1022 with DMR-009 covers Stage C. Stage A is early die state (EDS), unconfirmed; Stage B reaches mid-die-state with the reverse in MDS and the obverse developing two significant structural features — a die crack across the bust at late-mid die state (LMDS) and a die crack across the upper hair; Stage C shows the reverse advancing to late die state (LDS) while paired with a changed obverse die now in MDS. The obverse die change between Stages B and C documents the Mint's die management practice of continuing a productive reverse die by swapping in a fresher obverse die when the original obverse wore out. The two obverse die cracks in Stage B — across the bust and through the upper hair — target the highest-relief areas of Washington's portrait where striking stresses are most concentrated. John Flanagan designed the Washington Quarter with the heraldic eagle reverse, and the 1962-D was struck at the Denver Mint in 90% silver composition (90% silver, 10% copper) weighing 6.25 grams with a diameter of 24.26 mm. As DDR-001, this variety holds the primary position in the VarietyVista attribution sequence for the 1962-D date, indicating it was either the earliest discovered or the most visually prominent doubled die reverse. The 1962-D had a substantial mintage of approximately 127.5 million pieces, making it one of the higher-production dates in the silver Washington Quarter series.

Die Markers

• UVC-1020
• DMR-007
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse is MDS
• Die crack across bust – LMDS
• Die crack across upper hair
• UVC-1022
• DMR-009
• Stage C:
• Reverse is LDS
• Obverse die changed – MDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines, Charles Bondurant
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References