1942 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Second in the obverse doubled die census for the 1942 Jefferson nickel, DDO-002 commands significant collector attention with its strong southward spread affecting IN GOD WE TRUST, the top of Jefferson's head, nose, collar, LIBERTY, the star, and the date — an extraordinarily comprehensive displacement that touches virtually every major obverse design element. Cross-referenced as the prominent FS-101 (Fivaz-Stanton 101) variety, this DDO carries the most widely recognized attribution designation in the Jefferson nickel variety catalog. VarietyVista die identifiers include FS-101, UVC-690, and DMR-037, establishing the variety across multiple classification frameworks. The cupro-nickel composition notation confirms this is the standard pre-wartime alloy (75% copper, 25% nickel), struck before the transition to the silver-content wartime alloy that began in late 1942 with the large P mintmark. Felix Schlag's Jefferson portrait, which won a design competition to replace the Buffalo nickel in 1938, provides extensive fine detail across the features affected by this strong southward spread. Philadelphia struck approximately 49.79 million cupro-nickel Jefferson nickels in 1942 before the composition change. The FS-101 cross-reference under the Fivaz-Stanton numbering system (sometimes cited as FS-101 (025) in the Cherrypicker's Guide) makes DDO-002 one of the most commercially recognized Jefferson nickel varieties, frequently commanding substantial premiums in certified holders. Strong spread on this many design elements indicates a significant angular displacement between hub impressions, and collectors should find the doubling readily visible at 5-10x magnification across the inscriptions, date, and portrait details.

Die Markers

• FS-101; UVC-690; DMR-037

Attribution History

• FS-101

External References