1968-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

Proof die production resumed at San Francisco in 1968 after the three-year hiatus imposed by the Coinage Act of 1965, and WDDO-004 documents a doubled die obverse from that inaugural proof year for the Roosevelt dime series. Extra thickness appears on IN GOD WE TRUST (abbreviated IGWT in variety shorthand) and LIBERTY — two key obverse inscriptions on John Sinnock's portrait design. The Wexler Team cataloged this as Wexler Variety ID: 1968-S 10¢ Pr WDDO-004, with no other known cross-references in competing attribution systems. No significant obverse die markers were noted, but the reverse is identified as a Type 2 reverse — a distinction in the Roosevelt dime die variety census that refers to specific differences in the torch flame, olive branch, or oak branch configuration. Extra thickness as opposed to directional spread indicates the hub impressions nearly overlapped, producing letters that appear bolder than standard proof strikes rather than showing clearly separated secondary images. Because proof dies receive especially careful preparation, doubled dies in the proof series tend to be more subtle than their business-strike counterparts, making WDDO-004 a variety that rewards patient examination. The 1968-S proof dime was included in proof sets with a production of approximately 3.04 million sets.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1968-S 10¢ Pr WDDO-004
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References