1930-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Listed in the Cherrypickers' Guide as FS-101, the 1930-S Buffalo Nickel DDO-001 exhibits very strong extra thickness on LIBERTY and light doubling on the date — a graduated strength pattern that makes LIBERTY the primary diagnostic area for this variety. Cataloged by VarietyVista as UVC-116 with die marriage DMR-002, the very strong doubling on LIBERTY is notable for its intensity, producing clearly visible thickening that distinguishes this variety from the many light-spread DDOs found across the series. Three die states are documented: early die state (EDS) remains unconfirmed, mid die state (MDS) shows both obverse and reverse in moderate wear, and late die state (LDS) is also unconfirmed. The FS-101 Cherrypickers' designation identifies this as the primary doubled die obverse variety for the 1930-S date — a designation reserved for varieties deemed significant enough to warrant active searching. The 1930-S Buffalo Nickel was struck at the San Francisco Mint during the final decade of James Earle Fraser's iconic design, and the very strong LIBERTY doubling makes DDO-001 one of the most visually dramatic doubled die varieties available in the late-date Buffalo Nickel series.

Die Markers

• UVC-116
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Unknown
• FS-101
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References