1939 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

Very close Class V pivoted hub doubling appears on LIBERTY, the star, and the date of this 1939 Jefferson Nickel, the second year of Felix Schlag's design that won a public competition to replace the Buffalo Nickel in 1938. Class V doubling results from a pivot point around which the hub rotated slightly during hubbing — unlike a full rotational Class I spread, the pivoted design creates doubling that radiates from a fixed point, with elements farther from the pivot showing more displacement. The "very close" qualifier indicates the separation between doubled images is minimal, requiring careful examination under magnification. Obverse die markers include a die scratch across the top of the Y of LIBERTY and a series of die scratches on the front of Jefferson's collar. Reverse markers consist of a die scratch above the U of PLURIBUS and another die scratch in the lower right corner of the right arch of Monticello. These multiple die scratches across both sides provide robust attribution data for confirming this specific die. The 1939 date is notable as the earliest year where Jefferson Nickel varieties have been extensively cataloged, and WDDO-004 represents the fourth doubled die obverse documented for the inaugural era of what would become one of the longest-running coin designs in U.S. history, continuing in modified form to the present day.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die scratch across top of Y of LIBERTY; series of die scratches on front of Jefferson's collar.
• Reverse: Die scratch above U of PLURIBUS; die scratch in lower right corner of right arch.

External References