1934 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Primary doubled die reverse for the 1934 Buffalo Nickel, WDDR-001 carries dual cross-references that confirm its attribution across independent classification systems: CONECA designates it 1-R-IV+VIII, indicating a combination of Class IV Offset Hub Doubling and Class VIII Tilted Hub Doubling on the reverse, while the Wexler system lists it as 1934 5¢ WDDR-001. The combination of two doubling classes on a single die is noteworthy — it suggests the hub was both laterally offset and tilted during one of the impression passes, creating a complex doubling pattern that differs from simple single-class varieties. James Earle Fraser's iconic Buffalo Nickel reverse, depicting an American bison standing on a mound, was in its twenty-first year of production by 1934, and the design's high relief made it particularly demanding on die steel. The 1934 Philadelphia Mint produced approximately 20 million Buffalo Nickels during the depths of the Great Depression, when nickel demand for commerce remained steady despite broader economic contraction. Attributed by the Wexler Team, the dual-class designation makes WDDR-001 an instructive example for variety collectors learning to distinguish between different hub doubling mechanisms on a single coin.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Leroy Van Allen Cross References: CONECA: 1-R-IV+VIII
• CONECA: 1-R-IV+VIII; Wexler Variety ID: 1934 5¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References