1926 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1926 5-cent WDDO-001, this Buffalo Nickel variety represents Class VI doubled die doubling — a mechanistically distinct category where the die itself distorted rather than the hub shifting between impressions. Class VI produces extra thickness rather than lateral displacement, and on WDDO-001 this manifests as thickened date numerals and, to a lesser extent, thickened strokes on LIBERTY. The date sits beneath the Native American portrait on James Earle Fraser's obverse, while LIBERTY is incised into the bison's shoulder in its distinctive recessed format. The Class VI mechanism means the working die deformed under immense hubbing pressure, creating broadened design elements rather than separated doubled images. No other cross-references are known beyond the Wexler designation. The 1926 Philadelphia Buffalo Nickel was struck in copper-nickel composition during the later years of Fraser's iconic series (1913-1938). Examination under 7x magnification should focus on the date numerals, comparing stroke widths against a known normal specimen.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ron Pope Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1926 5¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References