2009 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-012

Description

Twelfth reverse doubled die documented for the 2009 DC and US Territories quarter, DDR-012 exhibits strong west-northwest spread on the lower E of ELLINGTON and the second black key on the District of Columbia quarter's reverse depicting jazz legend Duke Ellington seated at a piano. This variety carries the significant cross-reference designation FS-801, indicating it has been recognized by the Cherrypickers' Guide (Fivaz-Stanton) — one of the most widely used die variety references in American numismatics — elevating its visibility and collectibility beyond the VarietyVista attribution alone. VarietyVista assigned identifiers UVC-1780 and DMR-014, documenting three die stages: Stage A with both reverse and obverse at early die state, Stage B at mid die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The District of Columbia quarter reverse, designed by Don Everhart, depicts Duke Ellington at a grand piano with the inscription DUKE ELLINGTON below — and the strong spread on the lower E of his name and the adjacent black piano key demonstrates how the organic and geometric elements of modern commemorative designs provide sensitive doubling diagnostics. The west-northwest displacement direction indicates the secondary hub impression landed to the upper-left of the primary, creating a clearly displaced secondary image on the affected design elements that earns the "strong" spread classification. The FS-801 cross-reference assigns this variety a Fivaz-Stanton catalog number, meaning it appears in the standard die variety reference that most collectors and dealers consult when evaluating coins for attributable varieties. Collectors should examine the lower E of ELLINGTON and the second black key under 10-15x magnification, where the strong spread produces clearly visible secondary impressions displaced to the upper-left of the primary design.

Die Markers

• UVC-1780
• DMR-014
• Stage A:
• Reverse and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by J.T. Stanton
• FS-801
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References