1938 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-017

Description

Struck during the inaugural year of the Jefferson nickel series, the 1938 WDDR-017 exhibits Class II distorted hub doubling visible on E PLURIBUS UNUM, with slight doubling also appearing on AMERICA and the right edges of the Monticello building. The Jefferson nickel replaced the beloved Buffalo nickel in 1938, introducing Felix Schlag's portrait of Thomas Jefferson and his Monticello estate to American pocket change. Class II doubling results from a distorted hub impression that shifts design elements in a characteristic spread pattern. The obverse carries a die gouge on the left side of the U of TRUST, while the reverse shows a slanted die scratch protruding from the upper left corner of R of AMERICA and a die scratch connecting the lower portion of ES of STATES. Attributed by Brian Ribar and cataloged under Wexler designation 1938 WDDR-017, this variety holds particular significance as a first-year-of-issue doubled die, representing one of the earliest die varieties to emerge from the newly introduced Jefferson nickel design.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1938 WDDR-017
• Expert attribution by Brian Ribar

External References