1938-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Attributed by David Mulberry, this 1938-D Jefferson Nickel doubled die obverse is cataloged as Wexler 1938-D WDDO-002 and displays close Class II doubling on LIBERTY, the star, and the date. Secondary die markers include a short die gouge from the lower left side of the U in TRUST and a short die gouge above the 9 in the date on the obverse. On the reverse, two short die scratches appear above the E of STATES, and a short slanted die scratch is visible above the left side of the Monticello building. The 1938-D holds special significance in Jefferson Nickel collecting as a first-year-of-issue coin from the Denver Mint, which struck only 5.3 million pieces — one of the lowest mintages in the entire Jefferson series. Felix Schlag's design won a public competition to replace the Buffalo Nickel, and the 1938 debut saw production at all three active mints. Class II hub doubling results from rotation of the hub relative to the die between impressions during manufacture, producing a spread that pivots around a central point. The close spread on this variety requires careful examination under magnification to confirm.

Attribution History

• Discovered by David Mulberry
• Wexler Variety ID: 1938-D WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by David Mulberry

External References