1918 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Bearing the premier reverse doubled die attribution for the 1918 Buffalo nickel, WDDR-001 displays a Class II spread directed toward the center on E PLURIBUS UNUM (EPU) and slightly on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) on James Earle Fraser's iconic reverse featuring the standing bison on a mound. Class II Distorted Hub Doubling involves rotational displacement between hub impressions, and the center-directed spread indicates the secondary impression converged toward the interior of the die rather than diverging outward. The Wexler Team recorded no significant obverse die markers, but the reverse carries a prominent diagnostic: a heavy die crack running from the bison's tail to the rim, providing a powerful secondary identification feature independent of the doubling itself. This die crack — "heavy" indicating substantial width and depth — developed during the die's service life as the steel fractured under repeated striking stress, and its dramatic size makes it visible without magnification on well-preserved specimens. Cross-referenced as CONECA 1-R-II and Cherrypickers' Guide FS-05-1918-801 (016.45), this variety carries prestigious attribution listings that elevate it among the most recognized Buffalo nickel varieties. The Wexler Team notes that photographs of this variety were taken by Kevin Flynn, a prominent numismatic researcher and author. Philadelphia struck approximately 32.09 million Buffalo nickels in 1918, a World War I-era production year. As WDDR-001, this represents the benchmark reverse doubled die for the 1918 date, and the combination of Class II doubling with the heavy tail-to-rim die crack provides collectors with two complementary diagnostics for confident attribution.

Attribution History

• Discovered by J. T. Stanton Cross References: CONECA: 1-R-II, Cherrypickers: FS-05-1918-801 (016.45) Comments: The photos of this variety were taken by Kevin Flynn.
• CONECA: 1-R-II, Cherrypickers: FS-05-1918-801 (016.45) Comments: The photos of this variety were taken by Kevin Flynn.; Wexler Variety ID: 1918 5¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References