1938 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-015

Description

Produced in the debut year of Felix Schlag's Jefferson nickel design, the 1938 WDDR-015 exhibits Class II distorted hub doubling on E PLURIBUS UNUM. Close doubling from this hub class occurs when the working hub shifts laterally during the impression process, creating a subtle spread that rewards careful examination under magnification. The obverse carries a die scratch below Jefferson's nose and a series of die scratches below ST of TRUST as its primary identification markers. On the reverse, a die gouge protrudes from the center of the C of AMERICA, another die gouge appears on the right side of the second A of AMERICA, and a die scratch sits below the second O of MONTICELLO. Attributed by Bentley Ditto, this variety is cataloged under the Wexler designation 1938 WDDR-015. As a first-year issue, the 1938 Jefferson nickel holds special appeal for series collectors, and doubled die varieties from the inaugural production run document the hub-to-die manufacturing process during the very earliest use of Schlag's Monticello reverse design. The intricate architectural details of Monticello provide numerous surfaces where Class II distortion can manifest.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bentley Ditto
• Wexler Variety ID: 1938 WDDR-015
• Expert attribution by Bentley Ditto

External References