1929 Double Die Obverse

1929                                        Double Die Obverse                         FS-101                          38458

I purchased this coin, unattributed in an NGC MS64 holder at a Bowers and Merena online auction. I broke it out of the slab and submitted it to PCGS. They attributed it Double Die Obverse and graded it MS 64+.

This is one of the last varieties I need for my set. I thought I had found it previously, multiple times. I was mistaken because I always seemed to see doubling in the shadows in and around the date. Look for example inside the loop of the first 9 below. While the North West part has die doubling, the South has none. The appearance of doubling to the South is due to shadows and reflections. Fortunately, the high resolution Bowers and Merena image made it very obvious to me that this was the DDO.

The primary doubling is on the date as indicated below.

There also is doubling on the ribbons and hair braid and some other minor doubling. The ability to see any of these will depend not only on the quality of the image but also the die state and quality of the strike.

What to look for

The date is the primary area to examine. The 2 and second 9 have the most significant and visible doubling when the coin is viewed straight on. The other doubling is more difficult to see unless the coin is tilted.