1927-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as WDDR-001 for the 1927-S Buffalo Nickel, this doubled die reverse exhibits a Class IV spread directed to the northeast, visible on both front legs of the bison. Class IV doubling — offset hub doubling — occurs when the working hub shifts laterally between impressions during die-sinking, producing a uniform directional spread across affected design elements. The bison's front legs, rendered in moderate relief on James Earle Fraser's reverse, show the northeast displacement as a secondary outline alongside the primary leg contours. Cross-referenced as CONECA 1-R-IV, this variety carries dual attribution that strengthens its standing among collectors who follow either the Wexler or CONECA cataloging systems. Fraser's iconic Buffalo Nickel, produced from 1913 to 1938, depicts a composite Native American portrait on the obverse and an American bison on a raised mound on the reverse. The 1927-S was struck at San Francisco with a lower mintage than the Philadelphia issue, and the S mintmark appears on the reverse below FIVE CENTS. Examine both front legs of the bison under magnification to identify the northeast spread.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ron Pope Cross References: CONECA: 1-R-IV
• CONECA: 1-R-IV; Wexler Variety ID: 1927-S 5¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References