1938 Jefferson Nickel - Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

Attributed by Joe Groff, the 1938 Jefferson Nickel WDDO-004 displays Class VI distended hub doubling — one of the less common doubled die classifications where the hub physically distended (expanded or deformed) during the die impression process, creating a spread that follows the hub's distortion pattern rather than a clean rotational or offset displacement. Class VI varieties are among the most challenging doubled die types to detect, as the distortion-based spread can be subtle and distributed unevenly across the design. Two die markers assist with attribution: on the obverse, a die scratch appears above the letters ER of LIBERTY, and on the reverse, a short slanted die scratch extends from the lower left portion of the small right semicircular window on Felix Schlag's Monticello facade. The 1938 Jefferson Nickel represents the inaugural year of the design that replaced the Buffalo Nickel — Felix Schlag won a public design competition with his depiction of Jefferson and Monticello, though the Mint modified his original reverse before production. As WDDO-004, this is the fourth documented doubled die obverse for the first-year issue. The Monticello reverse's architectural details — windows, columns, and pediment — provide precisely defined reference points for die marker identification.

Cross References

• Wexler Variety ID: 1938 WDDO-004

External References