2015-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Breaking from the extensive Philadelphia Mint Homestead DDR family, WDDR-002 (Wexler catalog 2015-D 25¢ NY WDDR-002) documents a doubled die reverse on the 2015 Denver Mint Saratoga National Historical Park Quarter — a different design, different mint facility, and different state (New York) from the Homestead entries that dominate this batch. The Saratoga quarter reverse, designed by Frank Morris and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, depicts Revolutionary War General John Burgoyne's surrender to General Horatio Gates in October 1777, following the Battles of Saratoga — a turning point that convinced France to enter the war as an American ally. The reverse scene includes military figures, period uniforms, and a colonial flag, providing design elements where hub doubling manifests along the contours of the figures and fabric folds rather than the architectural and agricultural details of the Homestead design. As WDDR-002, this is the second documented reverse doubled die for the 2015-D Saratoga issue — a modest count compared to the Homestead's 170+ entries, reflecting either lower production volume at the Denver Mint for this design, a reverse composition less sensitive to registering subtle hub displacement, or less intensive searching by variety specialists on this particular issue. No cross-references outside the Wexler system have been published. Saratoga National Historical Park, located in Stillwater, New York, preserves the battlefield where the Continental Army's victory fundamentally altered the trajectory of the American Revolution. Struck in copper-nickel clad composition at the Denver Mint (5.67 grams, 24.26 mm diameter, reeded edge, D mintmark), this quarter's hub doubling on the surrender scene is best examined at 7x to 10x magnification on the figures and inscription elements.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Walt Knoch Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 2015-D 25¢ NY WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References