1972-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Designated as the primary doubled die obverse for the 1972-S Silver Eisenhower Dollar, WDDO-001 was cataloged by the Wexler Team on this 40% silver clad issue struck at the San Francisco Mint. Frank Gasparro designed both sides of the Eisenhower Dollar, with the obverse featuring a left-facing portrait of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the reverse depicting an eagle landing on the Moon in tribute to the Apollo 11 mission. Hub misalignment during die preparation created the doubling that characterizes this variety, and as WDDO-001 it holds the primary catalog position among all doubled die obverses documented for the 1972-S silver date. The 40% silver composition distinguishes San Francisco issues from the copper-nickel clad coins struck at Philadelphia and Denver for general circulation. Two additional DDO varieties, WDDO-002 and WDDO-004, have been documented for this same date and composition, each representing a distinct die pair with its own spread characteristics. Collectors should examine the obverse legends and portrait under magnification to confirm the diagnostic doubling pattern specific to this first-cataloged variety.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1972-S $1 40% WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References