Ryan’s Roosevelt Dime Coinspiracy Theory

It is my belief that obverse proof dies from the Philadelphia mint were used occasionally by Philadelphia, Denver or both to strike circulation dimes. I’m not sure about reverse dies, but will list any instances if I find them.

Exchanging and use of dies in such a manner is not confirmed by the mint. Such events have precedent, where a circulation die gets processed as a proof die, or a die with a mintmark from one mint is overpunched with the mintmark of another mint. Technology and high-resolution photos cast light on the smallest US coins of their era previously unachieved without much determination, squinting, and headaches!

For my sanity, while I have found possible examples from several different years, I will focus my thesis today on a particular obverse die from 1958.

This started with the R in TRUST on a 1958 proof dime I believe to be 1958 DDO-001, and when I spotted the same distinctly doubled R on a 1958-D dime, so unique I have not seen this exact style of doubling here on any other doubled Roosevelt dime die. Not only that, but the very distinct notch taken out of the E in LIBERTY is impossible to miss. In my mind the similarities are such that coincidence would strain credulity.

Take a gander at these little critters right here and tell me if you think there’s a chance they all three were struck with the same obverse die! Keep a sharp eye on that R in TRUST and the notch in the middle prong of E in Liberty!

Thank you!