1930 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Cross-referenced as the major FS-101 variety, this 1930 Philadelphia Mint Buffalo Nickel displays strong spread on the date, eyelid, LIBERTY, nose, and lower feathers — making it one of the most visually dramatic doubled die varieties in the entire Buffalo Nickel series (1913-1938). Tracked by VarietyVista under die markers UVC-098 and DMR-002, the die progressed through three stages: Stage A is early die state (EDS, unconfirmed), Stage B shows a light die crack from the rim at the K-10 position through the upper hair to the rim at K-12 with the reverse in MDS, and Stage C shows both obverse and reverse in late die state (LDS). The FS-101 designation in the Cherrypickers' Guide identifies this as the primary Fivaz-Stanton variety for the date — the most important and widely collected. The 1930 Buffalo Nickel was struck during the onset of the Great Depression, when mintages were beginning their sharp decline, and James Earle Fraser's iconic Native American and bison design was in its seventeenth year. Strong doubling on the eyelid and nose is particularly striking because the high-relief Native American portrait on the Buffalo Nickel provides three-dimensional surfaces where hub misalignment creates clearly visible secondary impressions. Date doubling on 1930 Buffalo Nickels is especially significant because the date on this type wears quickly, and doubled date digits help confirm authenticity on worn specimens.

Die Markers

• UVC-098
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Light die crack from rim at K-10 through upper hair to rim at K-12 – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• FS-101
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References