1938 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-006

Description

Classified as Class II distorted hub doubling, this 1938 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel displays close doubling on BUS of E PLURIBUS and UNUM on the reverse — a manifestation characteristic of Class II doubling where a distortion in the hub itself transfers a slightly warped impression during the die preparation process. Two reverse die markers aid attribution: a slanted die scratch to the upper left of the second O in MONTICELLO, and light die scratches to the upper right of the large center semicircular window on the Monticello facade. The obverse carries a vertical die gouge between the N of IN and the G of GOD. As the sixth documented doubled die reverse for the inaugural 1938 Jefferson Nickel, WDDR-006 belongs to a date of considerable historical importance — Felix Schlag's Monticello design won a public competition to replace the Buffalo Nickel, and the first-year production attracted intense numismatic scrutiny from the outset. Class II distorted hub doubling differs mechanically from the more common Class I rotated hub doubling; it occurs when the hub itself contains a slight distortion rather than being misaligned during impression. The Philadelphia Mint struck 19,515,365 Jefferson Nickels in 1938, a modest first-year output as the new design entered production partway through the year after the final Buffalo Nickels were struck. The specific mention of Monticello's semicircular window as a die marker highlights the architectural detail inherent in Schlag's reverse design.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Vertical die gouge between N of IN and G of GOD.
• Reverse: Slanted die scratch to upper left of second O of MONTICELLO; some light die scratches to upper right of large center semicircular window.

External References