1940-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-007

Description

Die crack at the top of Jefferson's head on the obverse accompanies WDDR-007 on the 1940-S Jefferson Nickel, where Class II Distorted Hub Doubling shows on FIVE CENTS, AMERICA, UNUM, and LLO of MONTICELLO — a reverse variety whose obverse die was simultaneously experiencing structural deterioration. Brian A. Ribar attributed this variety, identifying a die chip in the numeral 4 of the date as a second obverse marker alongside the head crack. The reverse die markers are extensive: many die scratches through and around the M of MONTICELLO, a die crack from the lower right base of the building to the rim, and a die crack through the right arch — multiple structural failures indicating this reverse die was in advanced deterioration when striking coins with the doubled impressions. San Francisco struck 39,690,000 Jefferson Nickels in 1940, the third year of the series. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1940-S WDDR-007, this variety is notable for the concentration of die damage on both sides: the obverse head crack and date chip combined with reverse die cracks and extensive scratching around the Monticello facade document a die pair that accumulated significant wear, suggesting these coins were struck late in the production run of these specific dies. The Class II doubling on LLO of MONTICELLO is particularly interesting because it isolates part of a word, indicating localized hub distortion in that zone.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1940-S WDDR-007
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References