1942 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-008

Description

Classified as Class II Distorted Hub Doubling with close spread visible on E PLURIBUS UNUM, this eighth documented doubled die reverse for the 1942 Jefferson Nickel records a hubbing anomaly from the fifth year of Felix Schlag's original Monticello design. Class II doubling arises from distortion within the hub during the die sinking process, producing non-uniform separation that manifests differently across various design elements depending on their distance from the distortion's center point. The die markers for this variety are particularly detailed: the obverse shows two slanted die scratches at the side of Jefferson's forehead near the hairline, while the reverse exhibits a slanted die scratch to the upper right of the second O of MONTICELLO and a die dot in the field above the right side of the roof. These secondary markers are essential for distinguishing WDDR-008 from the seven other documented doubled die reverses on 1942 Jefferson Nickels. The 1942 Philadelphia Mint nickel holds historical significance as the final pre-wartime composition issue — later in 1942, the mint transitioned to the silver-manganese-copper "war nickel" alloy to conserve nickel for military applications, introducing the distinctive large P mint mark above Monticello's dome. This DDR-008 was struck on standard 75% copper, 25% nickel planchets before that wartime transition, placing it at a pivotal moment in American numismatic history.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Two slanted die scratches at side of Jefferson's forehead near hairline.
• Reverse: Slanted die scratch to upper right of second O of MONTICELLO; die dot in field above right side of roof.

External References