1970-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Attributed to a proof 1970-S Washington Quarter, this Wexler-cataloged doubled die reverse shows a close spread towards the center on UNITED STATES OF, QUARTER DOLLAR, and the right branch end of the heraldic eagle's olive branch. The Wexler Team assigned the designation 1970-S 25c Pr WDDR-002, confirming this as a proof strike from the San Francisco Mint. Reverse die markers include a die scratch running through the top of the second R in QUARTER and a die gouge on the tail feather below the center talon on the eagle's right leg, while no significant obverse markers were noted. The 1970-S proof quarter is a key date in the Washington Quarter series because no business strikes were produced at San Francisco that year — only proof coins for collector sets. This exclusivity makes any die variety on the 1970-S proof quarter especially notable, as the entire production run came from a limited number of die pairs used solely for proof striking. A close spread towards the center indicates the second hub impression was positioned slightly inward relative to the first, compressing the design elements toward the coin's center. Washington Quarter proof dies from this era were hubbed using the same basic process as business strike dies, and hubbing misalignment could occur regardless of the intended striking method.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 25¢ Pr WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References