1937-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Produced in the final year of the Buffalo Nickel series, WDDO-002 of the 1937-S exhibits light Class VI extra thickness on LIBERTY, where a distended hub created subtle additional width on the letters without the lateral displacement characteristic of other doubling classes. Class VI doubling occurs when the hub becomes slightly enlarged between impressions, causing the secondary impression to extend beyond the primary letter boundaries. Obverse die markers include a die scratch between the first and second feathers, a die scratch near the rim from the K-10 to K-12 clock positions, and a curving die gouge from the upper portion of the braid. The reverse carries a die scratch from the dot to the first S of STATES. Photographs were taken by Brian Ribar, and the variety is cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1937-S 5c WDDO-002. The 1937-S had a low mintage among final-year Buffalo Nickels, as San Francisco production wound down before the transition to Felix Schlag's Jefferson Nickel in 1938. Struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel, this last-year Buffalo Nickel documents Class VI hub distension on LIBERTY with multiple confirming die markers.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis Cross References: None known Comments: The photos of this variety were taken by Brian Ribar.
• None known Comments: The photos of this variety were taken by Brian Ribar.; Wexler Variety ID: 1937-S 5¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References