1927-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1927-D 5¢ WDDR-001 and cross-referenced as CONECA 1-R-IV+VIII, this Buffalo Nickel displays close to medium Class IV doubling directed to the southwest on the bison\'s left and right front legs, with additional doubling visible on the tip of the beard below the bison\'s jaw. The CONECA Class IV+VIII designation indicates a combination of Offset Hub Doubling and Tilted Hub Doubling — two distinct displacement mechanisms acting simultaneously during the hubbing process, producing a complex doubling pattern that combines lateral shift with angular tilt of the secondary hub impression relative to the primary. Obverse die markers include a die crack in the Indian\'s hair extending northwest from the right side of the ribbon, while the reverse shows a slanted die crack on the front of the bison\'s head and a die crack on the ground above the TS of CENTS — progressive structural deterioration across both die faces. The commentary notes that photos were taken by Brian Ribar for the Wexler Doubled Die Files, documenting the collaboration between researchers in building the photographic record of attributed varieties. The Buffalo Nickel was designed by James Earle Fraser, featuring a composite Native American portrait on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. Struck at the Denver Mint in 1927, the coin weighs 5.00 grams in 75% copper and 25% nickel composition with a 21.2 mm diameter. The 1927-D had a mintage of approximately 5.73 million pieces. As WDDR-001 for the date-mint combination, this holds the primary catalog position, suggesting it is the first documented or most prominent doubled die reverse known for the 1927-D Buffalo Nickel.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wayne Carson Cross References: CONECA: 1-R-IV+VIII Comments: The photos for this variety were taken by Brian Ribar for the Wexler Doubled Die Files.
• CONECA: 1-R-IV+VIII Comments: The photos for this variety were taken by Brian Ribar for the Wexler Doubled Die Files.; Wexler Variety ID: 1927-D 5¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References