1942-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

This 1942-S Jefferson Nickel doubled die obverse, cataloged as WDDO-004, carries distinctive die markers on both faces that provide robust authentication beyond the hub doubling itself. The obverse displays two die scratches on Jefferson's cheek to the right of his mouth — fine linear marks in the die that transferred as raised lines on struck coins, providing a precise identification checkpoint that is independent of the doubling pattern. The reverse carries more extensive die deterioration evidence: a die crack running from the rim through the S of PLURIBUS to the dome of Monticello, continuing south between the C and E of CENTS to the rim left of the O in OF, along with a series of die gouges to the left of the P in PLURIBUS. This extensive reverse cracking pattern suggests the die was in an advanced stage of deterioration and would have been replaced relatively soon after reaching this state. The 1942-S Jefferson Nickel presents a compositional complexity: the San Francisco Mint struck both standard copper-nickel composition nickels and the new wartime silver alloy (56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese) during 1942, as the silver alloy transition occurred mid-year. The wartime silver composition coins carry a large S mintmark above Monticello's dome, while standard composition coins carry a small S to the right of Monticello. Felix Schlag's obverse portrait of Thomas Jefferson is paired with the Monticello reverse, and the coin weighs 5.0 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter and plain edge. The combination of hub doubling and extensive die deterioration markers makes this variety especially well-documented for attribution purposes.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Two die scratches on Jefferson's cheek to right of his mouth.
• Reverse: Die crack from rim through S of PLURIBUS to dome, continuing south between C and E of CENTS, to rim left of O of OF; series of die gouges to left of P of PLURIBUS.

External References