1938 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

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Verified LegacyDoubled Die Obverse

Market Value

N/A

Rarity Index

N/A

Discovery Date

1938

Last Sold

N/A

Description

Bearing the prestigious FS-101 cross-reference in the Cherrypickers' Guide, the 1938 Jefferson Nickel DDO-002 is a first-year doubled die variety from the inaugural year of Felix Schlag's design — the winning entry in a public competition that replaced the Buffalo Nickel. The variety exhibits light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST, with light rotational spread on the date, star, and LIBERTY, indicating a rotational misalignment between hub impressions that created curved displacement across multiple obverse elements. Elements farther from the pivot display progressively greater separation, with the date, star, and LIBERTY each showing characteristic arc-shaped secondary contours. Die markers UVC-582 and DMR-004 identify this working die. As a first-year variety, DDO-002 carries added significance: the 1938 Jefferson Nickel launched a series that would remain in production for decades, and doubled dies from debut years are prized for documenting die-making conditions when a new hub first entered service. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.0 grams. Examine IN GOD WE TRUST for the primary light spread, then trace the rotational component through the date, star, and LIBERTY.