1938-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

From the first year that the Denver Mint produced Jefferson nickels, the 1938-D WDDO-003 combines two doubling classes in a single die: Class II distorted hub and Class V pivoted hub doubling, visible on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the star, and the date. This dual-class attribution indicates that the hub was both laterally displaced and rotated during die preparation, creating a complex doubling pattern across multiple obverse elements. Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and cataloged under Wexler designation 1938-D WDDO-003, the variety carries several diagnostic die markers: on the obverse, die gouges appear to the lower right of L and to the right of B and R of LIBERTY, with a die scratch running through the lower front portion of Jefferson's collar. The reverse shows a die scratch through UR of PLURIBUS. As a first-year Denver Mint issue, the 1938-D Jefferson nickel already draws collector interest for its inaugural mintmark, and a combined Class II + V doubled die obverse adds substantial variety appeal to this historically significant issue.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1938-D WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References