1942 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

A proof Jefferson nickel struck in the wartime silver alloy of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese, the 1942 WDDR-003 combines two doubling classes: Class II distorted hub and Class VI distended hub. Nice extra thickness appears on E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and FIVE CENTS, with separation lines visible on the apparent last hubbing. The wartime composition was adopted in 1942 to conserve nickel for military applications, and proof examples in this alloy are especially significant as they represent the earliest wartime silver nickel proofs. Die markers include a large die gouge below Jefferson's hair on the back of the collar on the obverse, and on the reverse a diagonal die scratch above and to the right of the small right window with a die dot inside the left arch, designated as Type I. The dual-class doubling classification indicates that both hub distortion and hub distension contributed to the visible doubling, creating a complex variety on one of the most historically distinctive compositions in American numismatics.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Large die gouge (dot) below Jefferson's hair on back of collar.
• Reverse: Diagonal die scratch above and to right of small right window; die dot inside left arch.  Type I.

External References