1938-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Cataloged with UVC-0191 and DMR-007, this 1938-D Jefferson Nickel exhibits a light spread on the letters WE TRUST and LIBERTY from hub doubling on the obverse. As the first year of the Jefferson Nickel series, the 1938-D holds special significance for variety collectors seeking doubled dies from the inaugural issue. Three die stages document the progression of this die pair through its operational life. Stage A, at early die state, shows a die gouge running through the lower portion of RTY extending to the star, along with a gouge in the hair detail. Stage B represents mid-die-state with standard wear characteristics. Stage C, at late die state, shows further deterioration. Struck in the standard composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel, the 1938-D had a mintage of approximately 5.37 million pieces from the Denver Mint, the lowest-mintage issue in the first year of the series. The Jefferson Nickel design by Felix Schlag replaced the Buffalo Nickel in 1938, and DDO-004's light doubling on the motto and LIBERTY represents one of the earliest doubled die varieties in a series that would continue for decades.

Die Markers

• UVC-0191
• DMR-007
• Stage A:
• Die gouge through lower RTY of LIBERTY to star – EDS
• Die gouge in hair behind forehead
• Reverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Mike Dingeldein
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References