1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-024

Description

Designated by the Wexler Team as proof variety "1963 25c Pr WDDO-024," this doubled die obverse on the 1963 Washington Silver Quarter displays an extremely close spread toward the center on the date, the designer's initials (JF for John Flanagan), and the bottom of the ribbon tying the laurel wreath. A separate close spread toward the rim is visible on the letters IN of the motto. The dual-direction notation — "towards the center" on some elements and "towards the rim" on others — suggests a complex hub doubling event where different areas of the design experienced directional displacement depending on their position relative to the pivot point. As a proof issue, this quarter was struck at the Philadelphia Mint using polished dies on polished planchets, producing the mirror-like fields that make even subtle doubling features more visible than they would appear on business strikes. Die markers include a die gouge just above the one in the date on the obverse, while no significant reverse markers have been identified. No cross-references to other attribution systems are currently known. The 1963 proof quarter was the second-to-last year of 90% silver composition for the denomination — 1964 would be the final year before the switch to copper-nickel clad — giving proof doubled dies from this transitional period added appeal among collectors who value silver content alongside variety interest. Twenty-four cataloged doubled die obverses for the proof 1963 Washington Quarter attests to the extraordinary depth of variety research on this series.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1963 25¢ Pr WDDO-024
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References