1938 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-009

Description

Bill Fivaz attributed this Class II distorted hub doubling on the inaugural-year 1938 Jefferson nickel, cataloged under the Wexler reference 1938 WDDO-009. Obverse die markers cluster around the word LIBERTY: a die gouge between the upper portions of ER, another in the upper portion of R, and a third between the lower portions of RT. Reverse markers include two die scratches at the left side of the center dome arch on Monticello and a short diagonal die scratch inside the left semicircular arch. Class II distorted hub doubling — where slight changes in the hub's physical form between successive die impressions cause the secondary image to deviate from the primary — was particularly prevalent in the early years of the Jefferson nickel series when the Mint was establishing production parameters for Felix Schlag's new design, which had won the 1938 public design competition. The concentration of three die gouges within the letters ER and RT of LIBERTY provides an exceptionally tight cluster of attribution markers, since their proximity to each other and to the doubling zone itself means a single examination field under magnification can simultaneously confirm both the variety and the specific die identity. As the ninth documented doubled obverse for the 1938 date, WDDO-009 occupies a mid-range catalog position within the first-year DDO population. The 1938 Jefferson nickel was struck at Philadelphia in the 75% copper, 25% nickel composition that would continue until the wartime silver alloy substitution of 1942-1945.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill Fivaz
• Wexler Variety ID: 1938 WDDO-009
• Expert attribution by Bill Fivaz

External References