1938 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-009

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-589 and DMR-011, the 1938 Jefferson Nickel DDO-009 exhibits medium spread on LIBERTY with light spread on the date and IN GOD WE TRUST, demonstrating a graduated intensity pattern where the displacement vector produced its strongest effect on LIBERTY while diminishing across the date and motto areas. Three die stages are identified: Stage A shows numerous small rust pits on the obverse in early die state with the reverse also in EDS, Stage B places both obverse and reverse in mid-die state, and Stage C is late die state (unconfirmed). The rust pits in Stage A are diagnostically significant — they document that the die surface developed corrosion before or during early service, producing small raised dots on struck coins that serve as unmistakable markers for early-stage specimens from this particular working die. The 1938 Jefferson Nickel holds historical importance as the inaugural year of Felix Schlag's design, which replaced James Earle Fraser's Buffalo Nickel after a public design competition. Philadelphia Mint production in 1938 totaled 19,496,000 nickels in 75% copper and 25% nickel composition at 5.0 grams and 21.2 mm diameter. The ninth cataloged doubled die obverse for the design's first year reflects the transitional die production challenges of implementing a new hub design, as initial hubbing operations with freshly prepared master dies may have experienced more alignment issues. The rust pit diagnostic in EDS provides a definitive die identification method beyond the doubling itself.

Die Markers

• UVC-589
• DMR-011
• Stage A:
• Numerous small rust pits on Obverse – EDS
• Reverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Michael Disorbo
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References