1966 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Found in a 1966 Special Mint Set, WDDO-001 holds the primary obverse doubled die designation for the 1966 Washington quarter — a coin struck during the three-year period when Congress eliminated mintmarks and suspended proof coinage in response to the nationwide coin shortage. The spread is directed toward the center on LIBERTY, a characteristic inward displacement that pushes the letter images slightly toward the portrait rather than away from the rim. On the reverse, a short die scratch runs northwest from the lower first S in STATES, providing an independent die marker that helps confirm attribution. The Wexler Team documented this as Wexler Variety ID: 1966 25c WDDO-001. The 1966 quarter was the second year struck in the new copper-nickel clad composition adopted under the Coinage Act of 1965, replacing the 90% silver alloy. Special Mint Set quarters received enhanced striking quality, producing surfaces between standard business strikes and proofs — a manufacturing specification that can help preserve the subtle toward-center spread on LIBERTY for examination. John Flanagan's Washington portrait shows the first president in left-facing profile, and the LIBERTY inscription arcs across the upper obverse where the inward spread manifests as letters positioned slightly lower or closer to Washington's head than their intended placement. The die scratch near the S in STATES on the reverse provides a quick screening tool before undertaking the more careful obverse examination required to confirm the spread on LIBERTY.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert Bruner Cross References: None known Comments: This variety was found in a 1966 Special Mint Set.
• None known Comments: This variety was found in a 1966 Special Mint Set.; Wexler Variety ID: 1966 25¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References