1914 Buffalo Nickel - Doubled Die Reverse VDDR-001

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as the first doubled die reverse for the 1914 Buffalo Nickel, VDDR-001 exhibits extra thickness on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and FIVE CENTS — the two primary inscription zones on James Earle Fraser's famous reverse design featuring a standing American bison (buffalo) on a mound. Three die stages are documented under provisional die marker codes (UVC-??? and DMR-00?): Stage A represents Early Die State, unconfirmed. Stage B advances to Late-Mid Die State with a die clash visible through PLURIBUS on the obverse and a clash mark under the chin — these clash marks indicate the obverse and reverse dies struck together without a planchet between them, transferring design elements from one die face onto the opposite. Stage C corresponds to Late Die State, also unconfirmed. The clash marks appearing at Stage B are particularly noteworthy because they demonstrate the die experienced significant service stress before reaching its end-of-life condition. The 1914 Buffalo Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) at 5.0 grams and 21.2 mm diameter. Fraser's obverse depicts a composite Native American portrait (modeled from Iron Tail, Two Moons and a third whose identity is disputed) facing right, with LIBERTY and the date. As the first documented DDR for the 1914 Philadelphia issue, VDDR-001 holds the primary position in this date's doubled die reverse census.

Die Markers

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

External References