1930 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Light southward spread on the date identifies this third doubled die obverse for the 1930 Philadelphia Mint Buffalo Nickel, struck during the opening year of the Great Depression when mintages had not yet collapsed to the lows that would characterize 1931-1932 production. Attributed by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-100 and DMR-004, this variety progresses through three die stages: Stage A is Early Die State (unconfirmed), Stage B is Mid Die State (unconfirmed), and Stage C reaches Late Die State where a light die crack across the mound is visible. The LDS die crack across the bison's mound provides a useful secondary identification marker for specimens encountered in later die states. James Earle Fraser's Buffalo Nickel design, in production from 1913 through 1938, featured a composite Native American portrait on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse — design elements that made the series an icon of early twentieth-century numismatic art. The 1930 date falls in the Depression Era, when economic contraction would soon slash Mint output. Philadelphia struck approximately 22 million nickels in 1930, making die varieties from this date available but not common in today's collector market.

Die Markers

• UVC-100
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LDS
• Light die crack across mound – LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References