1938-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

As the first year of the Jefferson Nickel series, the 1938-D holds a foundational place in American numismatics, and this WDDO-001 adds die-variety significance to an already key date. Felix Schlag's winning design replaced the Buffalo Nickel and introduced a new portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse with Monticello on the reverse. Denver struck only 5.3 million nickels in 1938, making the 1938-D the lowest-mintage regular-issue Jefferson Nickel. This variety exhibits Class II distorted hub doubling, with very close spread visible on IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY. Obverse die markers include light die scratches to the right of the 8 in the date and a curving die scratch on the front of Jefferson's collar. On the reverse, a short vertical die scratch appears below the left small window and a slanted die scratch runs below the long left window. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1938-D WDDO-001. The combination of key-date status and a documented doubled die makes this variety particularly desirable among Jefferson Nickel specialists.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Wexler Variety ID: 1938-D WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References