How to Identify the 1937 Washington Quarter Doubled Die Obverse

What This Coin Is

The 1937 Doubled Die Obverse is a well-known die variety of the early silver Washington quarter, created when the working die received two slightly misaligned impressions from the hub during production, leaving visible doubling in parts of the design.

Obverse Design

John Flanagan's portrait of George Washington faces left, based on a Jean-Antoine Houdon bust. "LIBERTY" arches above his head, "IN GOD WE TRUST" sits just behind his neck, and the date appears below the bust at the bottom rim.

Where the Doubling Appears

On this variety, the doubling is most visible in the date and in the lettering of "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST," which can show a distinct second outline or thickened, split appearance along the letters and numerals under magnification. It is generally strongest on the numerals of the date.

Reverse Design

An eagle with wings spread perches on a bundle of arrows, with two olive branches curving beneath it. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" arches around the top, "QUARTER DOLLAR" runs along the bottom, and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" sits in a small ribbon just above the eagle.

Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge

Silver-era Washington quarters (1932-1964) are struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weigh 6.25 grams, measure 24.3 mm in diameter, and have a reeded edge, the same specifications used throughout the Barber and Standing Liberty series before it.

Mint Mark Location

On coins from this era, the mint mark sits on the reverse, centered just below the wreath and above "QUARTER DOLLAR." No letter indicates Philadelphia; "D" indicates Denver and "S" indicates San Francisco. This variety is known on the Philadelphia issue, so a genuine example should show no mint mark on the reverse.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

Ordinary 1937 quarters without doubling are common and share an identical design otherwise. Mechanical doubling from a worn or damaged die can sometimes mimic a true doubled die at a glance, but genuine hub doubling typically shows a clean, rounded second image rather than a flat, shelf-like shadow. Comparing suspected coins to reference photos of the confirmed variety under strong magnification is the most reliable check.

Judging Condition at a Glance

Wear first appears on Washington's hair curls just above and behind the ear, and on the eagle's breast and the tops of its leg feathers on the reverse. Sharp, separated hair strands and a fully feathered breast point to higher grades, while smoothed hair and a flat-looking eagle breast indicate more circulation.

Authenticity Notes

Because doubled die varieties can be difficult to see without magnification, some coins are misrepresented as this variety when they only show ordinary strike doubling or machine damage. A genuine example should match the known doubling pattern in the date and lettering precisely, not just show a generally blurry or fuzzy date.