1913 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as UVC-248 (DMR-011), DDR-005 of the 1913 Buffalo Nickel displays a medium spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA along with extra thickness on FIVE CENTS — the denomination inscription on the exergue below the bison. This is the Type 2 design (RDV-002, bison on flat ground), introduced partway through 1913 after the original raised-mound reverse proved impractical due to rapid wear on the denomination. Three die stages trace the working die's progressive deterioration: Stage A in early die state, Stage B at mid-die state exhibiting a die clash through the right leg of the R in PLURIBUS and a die clash below the chin of the Native American portrait, and Stage C in late die state. The mid-die-state clash marks are particularly useful diagnostics, as they provide attribution evidence independent of the doubling itself. James Earle Fraser's Buffalo Nickel debuted in 1913 as one of the most artistically acclaimed United States coin designs, and doubled die varieties from this first year of issue command heightened interest among collectors who value both numismatic significance and die variety attribution.

Die Markers

• UVC-248
• DMR-011
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die clash through the Right leg of the R of PLURIBUS – MDS
• Die clash below chin – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lewis Fletcher
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References