1957-D Quarter DDO ?

I see MD on the motto so I suspect it to be MD.

I don't think it is MD . MD would take away from the devise . added pics of a normal coin from the roll for comparison

Ditto

Strong possibility this is Die Deterioration Doubling. It is not Strike Doubling ( Machine Doubling). Size of design has been greatly reduced by heavy die dressing (stoning or other abrasives). You can see that the die was so heavily dressed out that the area between Washington's ponytail and back of neck is reduced to the level of the field. Notice the tell-tail diagonal die lines in that area diagnostic of a die dressing with an abrasive. There is an outside chance that the doubling around Washington's Adam's apple is "Abrasion Doubling" - a rare form of doubling seldom seen (though common on the Robert Kennedy commemorative matte finish half dollars).

Coop,

On the removal of clashes, this may have been the reason for the die being so heavily dressed out, however, I see no evidence of a clash and dies are also dressed out to remove superficial die crack to extend the life of the die.

The point I was making was the same thought Ken. There was a clash and it is removed totally. Leaving the marks we see on the neck area from the polishing of the dies.

Now the next questions. On the cheek of Washington: I would like to see that area close up. It looks like the cheek is indented a bit. I was wondering was it the image or is something going on there? Also the breast and legs on the Eagle look different as well?

Coop,

You mean like this 1943-S?

I first saw one of these in 1980 at a local show where the old-timers were calling it the Goiter Variety. I passed on it and later always wished I hadn't so when I found one about 25 years later I snapped it up from local dealer, Chuck Avery (at three times the price I might add). It might have even been the same coin!

Lots of ideas have been thrown around as to what caused this but I suspect, improper hardening of the die may have been a factor but who knows.

The the clash scenario you described, I thought I was going crazy looking for evidence of the clash that I couldn't find. I'm glad to learn I'm not going crazy!