1962 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-005

Description

Fifth in the reverse doubled die census for the 1962 Roosevelt dime proof, WDDR-005 exhibits very light spread toward the center on UNITED STATES, ONE, and E PLU — a subtle hub doubling event on John R. Sinnock's torch-and-branch reverse design. The centerward spread direction indicates the secondary hub impression was positioned slightly inward from the primary, compressing the inscription toward the coin's center rather than expanding it outward. The Wexler Team documented both obverse and reverse die markers: on the obverse, a short southwest-to-northeast die scratch sits to the right of the top of the E in WE; on the reverse, a short die gouge extends from the rim in the south-southeast direction from the right dot. These die markers provide crucial identification landmarks for confirming the correct die before attempting to evaluate the very light doubling. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1962 10¢ Pr WDDR-005, confirming this as a proof issue struck at Philadelphia. The 1962 proof set production reached approximately 3.22 million sets, a substantial output that generated significant die pair inventories for the proof production lines. Proof Roosevelt dimes, with their mirror fields and frosted devices, provide surfaces where even very light spread becomes potentially detectable — the pristine surfaces preserve die characteristics at maximum clarity. However, the "very light" designation means this variety sits at the threshold of detection, requiring careful comparison against known normal proof dimes and optimal magnification (15-20x) with directed lighting to reveal the centerward displacement on UNITED STATES, ONE, and E PLU. Five documented reverse doubled dies for the 1962 proof dime reflects the depth of variety research applied to early 1960s proof coinage.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1962 10¢ Pr WDDR-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References