View All 1939 Jefferson Nickel - Reverse of 1940

1939 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

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Verified LegacyDoubled Die Reverse

Market Value

N/A

Rarity Index

N/A

Discovery Date

1939

Last Sold

N/A

Description

Holding the primary reverse doubled die designation for the 1939 Jefferson nickel, DDR-001 exhibits strong westward spread on MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS, and the right side of the building — Felix Schlag's architectural rendering of Thomas Jefferson's Virginia estate that has graced the reverse since the type's debut in 1938. Cross-referenced as the prestigious FS-801 (Fivaz-Stanton 801) and documented under VarietyVista identifiers UVC-614 and DMR-010, this variety carries the level of recognition that places it in the Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties. The reverse is identified as RDV-002 (Straight Steps), indicating the version of the Monticello design where the entrance steps appear straight rather than curved — a reverse design variant that provides an additional identification checkpoint beyond the doubling itself. Strong westward spread affecting the building name MONTICELLO, the denomination FIVE CENTS, and the right architectural facade demonstrates a substantial hub misalignment that displaced the secondary impression across the right half of the reverse die. The 1939 date represents only the second year of Jefferson nickel production, with Philadelphia striking approximately 120.6 million pieces during a period when the new design was still generating significant public interest. The FS-801 cross-reference in the Cherrypickers' Guide notation (022) indicates this is variety number 22 in the Fivaz-Stanton catalog sequence for the five-cent denomination, establishing its place in the standard reference hierarchy used by dealers and third-party grading services. Strong designation places DDR-001 at the upper tier of doubling magnitude, meaning the displaced secondary impressions on MONTICELLO and the building's right side produce clearly visible separated images rather than mere thickening, making this one of the more dramatic and visually rewarding Jefferson nickel DDR varieties.