1914 Buffalo Nickel - Doubled Die Obverse VDDO-002

Description

Light spread South on the eyelid, nostril, and braid of the Native American portrait on this 1914 Buffalo Nickel, cataloged by VarietyVista as VDDO-002. Die tracking codes remain unassigned (UVC-??? and DMR-00?), indicating this variety awaits full integration into the VarietyVista numbering system. Three die stages are documented: Stage A at early die state (EDS) is unconfirmed. Stage B, at mid-die state (MDS), shows a die clash under the chin and a die clash through PLURIBUS — evidence that the obverse and reverse dies impacted each other without a planchet between them at least once during this die's working life. Stage C at late die state (LDS) is also unconfirmed. James Earle Fraser's Buffalo Nickel design, with its high-relief Native American portrait, concentrates doubling effects on prominent facial features where even minor hub displacement becomes visible. The south-directed spread on the eyelid, nostril, and braid creates a subtle downward shadow effect on these features. The 1914 Philadelphia Buffalo Nickel had a mintage of approximately 20.66 million, a moderate production figure for the early years of the series.

Die Markers

• UVC-???
• DMR-00?
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die clash under chin – MDS
• Die clash through PLURIBUS – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References