2005-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-002

Description

Second reverse doubled die cataloged for the 2005-S Connecticut State Quarter silver proof, DDR-002 shows very light spread confined to the tip of the second lowest left branch of the small tree depicted on the reverse — an extremely localized doubling diagnostic on a design element that demands careful magnification to confirm. VarietyVista documented this die under UVC-1680 and DMR-004, with three die stages: Stage A where both reverse and obverse surfaces exhibit early die state characteristics (confirmed), Stage B at mid die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The comments identify this as a silver proof, struck at San Francisco on 90% silver planchets with polished dies — the premium collector format that commands higher prices than clad proof or business strike varieties. The Connecticut quarter reverse, designed by T. James Ferrell, features the Charter Oak — the legendary white oak tree in Hartford where Connecticut's Royal Charter was reportedly hidden in 1687 to prevent its seizure by the English governor — rendered in careful botanical detail with individually delineated branches. The second lowest branch on the left side of the tree provides a tiny but specific detection surface where the very light spread produces subtle displacement visible only under magnification of 15-20x or greater. The EDS confirmation for Stage A means the doubling has been verified on specimens with fresh die surfaces, ruling out deterioration as the source. Silver proof production at San Francisco employed multiple-strike techniques and specially prepared dies, making these proofs inherently sharp in detail — an advantage when searching for very light spread that might be invisible on softer-struck business strike specimens.

Die Markers

• UVC-1680
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• Reverse and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Kenneth Russell
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References