1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-029

Description

Displaying Class II spread directed toward the center on the date, the designer's initials (JF for John Flanagan), the bottom of the ribbon in Washington's hair, and slightly on IN GOD WE TRUST, this 1963 Washington Silver Quarter proof doubled die obverse was attributed by the Wexler Team under the designation 1963 25c Pr WDDO-029. The center-directed Class II spread indicates distorted hub doubling where the hub and die were not perfectly parallel during impression, creating a convergent displacement pattern. Obverse die markers include a small die gouge on the back of Washington's lower neck to the left of the knot in the ribbon — a precise location that serves as the primary fingerprint for this specific working die. The reverse carries no significant markers. No other cross-references are currently known. The 1963 proof quarter was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver composition — the penultimate year of silver proof quarters before the Coinage Act of 1965 mandated the transition to copper-nickel clad. Twenty-nine doubled die obverses documented for the 1963 proof quarter is a substantial count, reflecting the intensive examination that silver proof Washington Quarters from this era have received from variety specialists. Proof coins' controlled striking conditions — multiple strikes on polished planchets with polished dies — produce pristine surfaces where even subtle Class II spread becomes detectably visible, and the doubling on the date, designer's initials, and ribbon bottom provides multiple confirmation points for attribution. The convergence of silver content with proof quality and last-era-of-silver status has made 1963 proof quarters exceptionally popular targets for die variety research.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert M. Pelletier Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1963 25¢ Pr WDDO-029
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References